‘Housing, not aid’: Negros Occ. town pushes for more permanent solution for Mt. Kanlaon evacuees | ABS-CBN
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‘Housing, not aid’: Negros Occ. town pushes for more permanent solution for Mt. Kanlaon evacuees
‘Housing, not aid’: Negros Occ. town pushes for more permanent solution for Mt. Kanlaon evacuees
This photo taken on June 24, 2020 shows the crater of Kanlaon volcano as seen from the town of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, central Philippines. Francis Fabiania, AFP/File
This photo taken on June 24, 2020 shows the crater of Kanlaon volcano as seen from the town of La Castellana, Negros Occidental, central Philippines. Francis Fabiania, AFP/FileLA CASTELLANA, Negros Occidental — The local government of La Castellana has been urging the national government to provide a more permanent solution for Negrenses displaced by the rumbling Kanloan volcano, saying that some evacuees have been residing in schools for about an entire year.
LA CASTELLANA, Negros Occidental — The local government of La Castellana has been urging the national government to provide a more permanent solution for Negrenses displaced by the rumbling Kanloan volcano, saying that some evacuees have been residing in schools for about an entire year.
Since the eruptions of the Mt. Kanlaon in June, September and December last year, La Castellana has hosted the largest number of evacuees in Negros Occidental with some 1,300 families or 4,200 evacuees staying in classrooms.
Since the eruptions of the Mt. Kanlaon in June, September and December last year, La Castellana has hosted the largest number of evacuees in Negros Occidental with some 1,300 families or 4,200 evacuees staying in classrooms.
The situation is not sustainable as the local government needs to shell out hundreds of thousands of pesos a day just to feed them, said La Castillana Mayor Mhai Nicor.
The situation is not sustainable as the local government needs to shell out hundreds of thousands of pesos a day just to feed them, said La Castillana Mayor Mhai Nicor.
“If you have 4,200 people in a day, even if you spend P100 per person with 2 meals, excluding the rice, we are spending P426,000 for that expense alone for food,” the mayor told reporters here.
“If you have 4,200 people in a day, even if you spend P100 per person with 2 meals, excluding the rice, we are spending P426,000 for that expense alone for food,” the mayor told reporters here.
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“If we will be utilizing the funds of the local government unit (LGU), the whole funds of the LGU would not suffice if ma-prolong pa yung pagtira nung mga tao [sa evacuation center],” she said.
“If we will be utilizing the funds of the local government unit (LGU), the whole funds of the LGU would not suffice if ma-prolong pa yung pagtira nung mga tao [sa evacuation center],” she said.
So far, the town has nearly depleted its P17.8 million calamity fund and its P5.8 million quick response fund, Nicor said, noting that only about P3 million is left of the sum after just four months this year.
So far, the town has nearly depleted its P17.8 million calamity fund and its P5.8 million quick response fund, Nicor said, noting that only about P3 million is left of the sum after just four months this year.
“Very depleted na yung budget ng LGU,” she said.
“Very depleted na yung budget ng LGU,” she said.
“It is very hard for us to explain to the people because they thought na it is very easy for us to find the fund,” she added.
“It is very hard for us to explain to the people because they thought na it is very easy for us to find the fund,” she added.
La Castellana as been pushing to have a permanent relocation site for locals living within the 4-kilometer danger zone of the volcano.
La Castellana as been pushing to have a permanent relocation site for locals living within the 4-kilometer danger zone of the volcano.
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“Hindi natin mai-dedeny na our local government unit is just a small municipality. Ang IRA (internal revenue allotment) namin ay maliit lang so hindi namin kaya bumili ng lupa para sa permanent relocation site,” the Mayor said.
“Hindi natin mai-dedeny na our local government unit is just a small municipality. Ang IRA (internal revenue allotment) namin ay maliit lang so hindi namin kaya bumili ng lupa para sa permanent relocation site,” the Mayor said.
“That’s why we are calling on the attention of the national government that we will provide the lot and the site development for those areas na lilipatan,” she said.
“That’s why we are calling on the attention of the national government that we will provide the lot and the site development for those areas na lilipatan,” she said.
Nicor is also asking the national government to create a state-run farm in the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park so that displaced residents can have a more stable form of livelihood.
Nicor is also asking the national government to create a state-run farm in the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park so that displaced residents can have a more stable form of livelihood.
“I told them na instead of prolonged na nagbibigay tayo ng tulong sa loob, nagpapakain, maybe ipunin natin, ipambili ng mga lupa kung saan permanente na silang titira,” she said.
“I told them na instead of prolonged na nagbibigay tayo ng tulong sa loob, nagpapakain, maybe ipunin natin, ipambili ng mga lupa kung saan permanente na silang titira,” she said.
“We can make it a state managed farming for them para mayroon silang livelihood… instead of giving them cash assistance, bibigyan natin sila ng bahay and hindi na natin sila papabalikin sa taas,” she said.
“We can make it a state managed farming for them para mayroon silang livelihood… instead of giving them cash assistance, bibigyan natin sila ng bahay and hindi na natin sila papabalikin sa taas,” she said.
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“Ang lupa sa taas ang nag mamay-ari ay gobyerno so they can till the land.”
“Ang lupa sa taas ang nag mamay-ari ay gobyerno so they can till the land.”
Vice President Sara Duterte agreed with Nicor’s suggestions after visiting an evacuation site in La Castellana, Wednesday morning.
Vice President Sara Duterte agreed with Nicor’s suggestions after visiting an evacuation site in La Castellana, Wednesday morning.
“Ang sinasabi ng mga tao gusto na nila umuw kasi naaabala na nila yung hanap buhay nila, yung pang araw araw nila,” the Vice President told reporters after touching base with some evacuees in La Castellana.
“Ang sinasabi ng mga tao gusto na nila umuw kasi naaabala na nila yung hanap buhay nila, yung pang araw araw nila,” the Vice President told reporters after touching base with some evacuees in La Castellana.
“Hindi din ideal na tulugan nang pangmatagal ang classroom,” she said.
“Hindi din ideal na tulugan nang pangmatagal ang classroom,” she said.
“Noong mayor ako, ayaw ko na tumatagal sila kasi nagkakasakit yung mga tao. Lagnat, dengue, chickenpox… minsan sira yung tyan nagLBM dahil ang suplay ng tubig hindi maayos,” she said.
“Noong mayor ako, ayaw ko na tumatagal sila kasi nagkakasakit yung mga tao. Lagnat, dengue, chickenpox… minsan sira yung tyan nagLBM dahil ang suplay ng tubig hindi maayos,” she said.
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“Kailangan siguro nang mas maayos na plano para sa mga evacuees.”
“Kailangan siguro nang mas maayos na plano para sa mga evacuees.”
While the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has distributed rice, non food items, and launched mobile hot kitchens and medical missions to several evacuation sites in Negros, Duterte acknowledges that her office only has a limited budget at the moment.
While the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has distributed rice, non food items, and launched mobile hot kitchens and medical missions to several evacuation sites in Negros, Duterte acknowledges that her office only has a limited budget at the moment.
“Maliit lang ang opisina namin, maliit lang ang bugdet namin so nagtanong ako kanina kung ano ang matulong namin, sabi nila hygiene kits,” the Vice President said.
“Maliit lang ang opisina namin, maliit lang ang bugdet namin so nagtanong ako kanina kung ano ang matulong namin, sabi nila hygiene kits,” the Vice President said.
“Nahihirapan din siya sa pagkain kasi libo libo pinapakain nila araw araw sa evacutation centers so sabi ko makakatulong kami sa bigas para mabigyan ng suporta yung cooking community nila,” she said.
“Nahihirapan din siya sa pagkain kasi libo libo pinapakain nila araw araw sa evacutation centers so sabi ko makakatulong kami sa bigas para mabigyan ng suporta yung cooking community nila,” she said.
“Sabi ko antay tayo ng decision ng disaster council. In the meantime, tutulong tayo,” she added.
“Sabi ko antay tayo ng decision ng disaster council. In the meantime, tutulong tayo,” she added.
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The La Castellana Mayor said she understands Duterte’s predicament at the moment.
The La Castellana Mayor said she understands Duterte’s predicament at the moment.
“For now, hindi naman talaga siya makakagalaw dahil sa ngayon sa sitwasyon na very apparent naman na nag-iiringan yung dalawang camp,” the mayor said, referring to the estranged partnership between the Philippines’ top two officials.
“For now, hindi naman talaga siya makakagalaw dahil sa ngayon sa sitwasyon na very apparent naman na nag-iiringan yung dalawang camp,” the mayor said, referring to the estranged partnership between the Philippines’ top two officials.
“Maybe if they can help us, magpapasalamat ako bilang mayor. If she (Duterte) can lobby even in these trying times for us, mailobby niya sa president just for us… maybe they will be uniting again for us na naghihingi ng tulong para masagot natin yung pangangailangan ng mga tao,” she said.
“Maybe if they can help us, magpapasalamat ako bilang mayor. If she (Duterte) can lobby even in these trying times for us, mailobby niya sa president just for us… maybe they will be uniting again for us na naghihingi ng tulong para masagot natin yung pangangailangan ng mga tao,” she said.
“Not only here in the Kanlaon volcano, but in other areas facing challenges along the way.”
“Not only here in the Kanlaon volcano, but in other areas facing challenges along the way.”
So far, authorities have yet to give a certain date on when evacuees can return to their homes as the volcano continues to show signs of possible eruption and unrest.
So far, authorities have yet to give a certain date on when evacuees can return to their homes as the volcano continues to show signs of possible eruption and unrest.
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