In a compassionate response to the recent volcanic activity of Mt. Kanlaon, nine families who were forced to evacuate their homes within the four-kilometer danger zone have been provided with essential aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas, under the leadership of regional director Shalaine Marie Lucero, has been instrumental in this relief effort. The DSWD’s Quick Response Team 3, headed by vice chairperson Juanito Cantero, successfully distributed assistance valued at PHP76,284 to these internally displaced persons (IDPs) across three evacuation centers.
The necessity for evacuation was underscored by Milagros Requinilao, an IDP at Camp 2, who shared her family’s reluctant departure from their home due to its dangerous proximity to the volcano. Despite the hardship of leaving their primary sources of livelihood—farms and livestock—behind, Requinilao acknowledged the timely nature of the evacuation, especially following the emission of dark ash from the volcano on December 23.
Lucero reported that the displaced families have shown appreciation for the government’s support. In addition to immediate aid, the Canlaon City government, in collaboration with DSWD and private partners, has initiated psychosocial activities to help these families cope with potential trauma and maintain engagement during their stay in the evacuation camps.
Canlaon City currently operates ten evacuation centers, managed by the local government with assistance from DSWD-7’s Camp Management Teams. Since the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, the DSWD-7 Quick Response Teams have played a crucial role in supporting the city government’s efforts in managing these centers and providing technical support for disaster response and camp management.