In a heartening display of community support, Canlaon City in Negros Oriental is extending a lifeline to its residents affected by the recent volcanic eruption of Mt. Kanlaon. Over 1,450 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are set to receive financial assistance through the government’s TUPAD program this week, offering a glimmer of hope to those forced from their homes within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.
Edna Lhou Masicampo, the city’s information officer-designate, announced that the IDPs, who have been cleaning evacuation centers for 10 days, will each receive PHP5,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Additionally, another 600 IDPs currently staying with relatives outside the evacuation centers will soon join the TUPAD program after undergoing orientation.
The financial aid is crucial for the evacuees, many of whom are struggling to meet their daily needs following the eruption. Masicampo highlighted the severe impact on their lives, noting that they cannot return to their homes and farms. Some are granted day-time passes to tend to their farms but must return to their temporary shelters before nightfall.
In an effort to mitigate the long-term effects of the disaster, the local government is exploring options such as short-term livelihood training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Currently, 879 families, totaling 2,800 individuals, are housed in eight evacuation centers, while 1,006 families, or 3,237 individuals, are staying with relatives outside these facilities.
In a separate initiative, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas led the distribution of incentives to various sectoral workers last Saturday. Accredited daycare workers received PHP4,000 each, barangay population development officers were given PHP8,000 each, and senior citizens newly qualified for the social pension received PHP3,000 each. These funds, drawn from the provincial social program for the latter half of 2024, underscore the city’s commitment to supporting its most vulnerable residents during these challenging times.