ILOILO City – For farmers affected by the recent Mount Kanlaon eruption in Negros Occidental, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 6 has prepared replacement seeds and fertilizers.
The assistance will focus on farmers from Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, said Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia.
DA-6, in coordination with Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAOs) of each local government unit (LGU), is conducting assessments to determine the type of crops affected, their growth stages, and the condition of the soil after the ashfall.
“We need to check the status of the crops and the suitability of the soil. If replacement seedlings will be given, we must ensure they match the soil conditions or consider introducing high-value crops instead,” Arpia said.
DA’s ongoing assessment aims to determine the best assistance strategy to help farmers recover. Once the evaluation is completed, DA-6 will finalize and distribute the necessary aid.
As of 11 a.m. on December 17, a total of 4,629 families or 15,512 individuals residing within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone have been evacuated, achieving a 99.17 percent evacuation rate.
Here is the breakdown of evacuees per LGU:
* Bago City – 128 families (419 persons)
* La Carlota City – 694 families (2,464 persons)
* La Castellana – 2,179 families (6,664 persons)
In Negros Oriental, Canlaon City reported 1,628 displaced families (5,965 persons).
Mandatory evacuation of families within the danger zone began on December 9, with the Task Force Kanlaon targeting a 100 percent evacuation rate by Monday, December 16.
In addition to residents, livestock such as pigs, cows, and carabaos were also evacuated.
To ensure animals left in the zone are fed, authorities implemented a “window period,” allowing owners to enter the area under strict supervision. Entry and exit are permitted only from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with ID validation required.
Task Force Kanlaon has issued protocols to regulate movement within the danger zone, with LGUs and law enforcement agencies enforcing border controls and designating emergency pick-up points./PN
