In response to the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, the Regional Task Force Kanlaon, in collaboration with the National Food Authority (NFA), has significantly increased the supply of rice to support displaced families in Negros Island. On January 29, 2025, the NFA released 659 sacks of rice from its Bacolod City warehouse, destined for five local government units (LGUs) impacted by the volcanic activity.
The distribution was facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which procured the rice and ensured its delivery to the affected areas. La Castellana, the most severely affected area in Negros Occidental, received the largest allocation with 310 sacks. Other allocations included 70 sacks for La Carlota City, 15 for San Carlos City, and 10 for Bago City in Negros Occidental, while Canlaon City in Negros Oriental received 254 sacks.
To aid in the logistics, OCD-Negros Island Region Director Donato Sermeno III coordinated with Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog of the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade to utilize military trucks for transporting the rice. Additionally, some LGUs arranged their own vehicles to collect the supplies.
As of the latest reports, 3,058 families, totaling 9,674 individuals, remain in evacuation centers across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. La Castellana hosts the highest number of displaced persons, with 1,400 families or 4,311 individuals.
In preparation for potential increases in the alert level of Mt. Kanlaon, the OCD-6 is setting up a tent city in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. This facility, designed to accommodate overflow from existing evacuation centers, is currently under development with 40 out of a planned 395 family tents already assembled. The site is being equipped with essential amenities such as plumbing, water supply, and sanitation facilities to meet the needs of the incoming evacuees.