In the wake of the Mt. Kanlaon eruption on December 9, 2024, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has openly invited scrutiny into the city’s management of disaster response funds. During a visit to an evacuation center on January 15, 2025, the mayor, alongside officials from the Office of Civil Defense, engaged with displaced residents and reiterated the city’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Mayor Cardenas emphasized that the city’s Incident Management System diligently logs all financial transactions and activities related to the disaster response. He assured the public that a dedicated Finance Section meticulously tracks all funding, donations, and expenditures, and a comprehensive transparency report is accessible for public scrutiny. Amidst questions from some sectors about the allocation of funds and donations, the mayor urged those with concerns to reach out directly to the Finance Section. Despite these inquiries, Cardenas highlighted the city’s success in maintaining zero casualties during the crisis, underscoring the effectiveness of their collective efforts.
