DSWD ready with food packs for Kanlaon eruption victims

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured that the agency is ready to distribute family food packs and other necessary aid to communities affected by the explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano early Tuesday morning, April 8.

Over 250,000 family food packs have been prepositioned in DSWD warehouses in Western Visayas (Region 6) and Central Visayas (Region 7), even before the eruption.

The agency has distributed about PHP132 million worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by the continued unrest of Kanlaon Volcano, including approximately 107,825 family food packs and non-food items since the Dec. 9, 2024 eruption.

As of Thursday, April 10, a total of 12,761 families or 48,850 individuals across Negros Island have been affected by the volcanic activity, with 2,606 families staying in evacuation centers and 3,702 families temporarily staying with friends or relatives.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao assured that the agency has sufficient supplies and funding to support those displaced, including PHP93 million in standby funds and non-food items ready for distribution.