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 across Negros Island. On January 29, 2025, the NFA released 659 sacks of rice from its Bacolod City warehouse, aimed at aiding five local government units (LGUs) impacted by the volcanic activity.
The distribution breakdown includes 310 sacks for La Castellana, the most severely affected area in Negros Occidental, followed by 70 sacks for La Carlota City, 15 for San Carlos City, and 10 for Bago City. Additionally, Canlaon City in Negros Oriental received 254 sacks. The allocation was facilitated by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), which has been coordinating with the NFA to meet all requests for rice assistance based on situation reports from the affected LGUs.
To ensure the swift delivery of these essential supplies, OCD-Negros Island Region Director Donato Sermeno III sought assistance from the Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, requesting the use of military trucks. Some LGUs also utilized their own vehicles to collect the rice.
As of the latest reports, 3,058 families, totaling 9,674 individuals, remain in evacuation centers across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. La Castellana alone hosts 1,400 families, or 4,311 people, marking it as the area with the highest number of internally displaced persons.
In preparation for potential increases in the alert level of Mt. Kanlaon from 3 to 4, the OCD-6 is setting up a tent city in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. Out of the planned 395 family tents, 40 have already been assembled. The site is being developed to cater to the basic needs of the evacuees, with ongoing installations of plumbing, water supply systems, and sanitation facilities.