The Department of Social Welfare and Development said around 12,000 families or 48,000 individuals have been affected by the eruption of Mount Kanlaon.

DSWD is ready to distribute family food packs to more than 2,600 families or 8,300 individuals in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental and in Canlaon City.

Social Welfare Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the figures are sourced from 28 barangays affected in various areas.

Since the eruption, our agencies have been providing assistance, not just through food and non-food items, but also through financial assistance. We have distributed more than P131 million in humanitarian assistance and food and non-food items, said Dumlao in a briefing aired on state-run PTV.

Dumlao said the DSWD will look after the welfare of vulnerable sectors at the evacuation centers, including ensuring safe spaces for women and providing elderly and PWD evacuees “appropriate” assistance.

The official said they are coordinating with local government units to evacuate residents staying in danger zones, adding there are around 3,700 families that have evacuated and are staying at relatives’ homes for now.

She added DSWD is prepared to send more family food packs to local government units if needed.

Meanwhile, DSWD said it needed more volunteers for its National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) around Chapel Road, Brgy. 195, Pasay City.

Volunteers, DSWD said, would help produce boxes of family food packs for those affected by the eruption.