Rising 2,465m above sea level, Mt. Kanlaon is the highest peak in the Visayas. The majestic volcano straddles Negros Occidental and Oriental and is surrounded by fertile farmland. Kanlaon’s breathtaking beauty has inspired many a legend, but we must not forget that it remains to be an active volcano.
On the evening of Jnue 3, 2024, we were reminded of the fury that burns within the often-peaceful looking volcano. Mt. Kanlaon erupted, sending an ash plume nearly 5 kilometers high into the sky. Five more eruptions followed that night. At least 14 local government units in Negros Occidental were hit by sulfurous fumes and ashfall in the form of muddy rain and coarse pebbles. In the wee hours of June 4, the Alert Level was raised to 2 and local government officials ordered the mandatory evacuation of all residents living within a 3-kilometer radius of the volcano.
Our home base in Bacolod is 32km northwest of the volcano as the crow flies. As we packed Mingo to take to evacuation centers, ash continued to fall outside.
The night of June 3 was full of noise and fury. In contrast, everything was very quiet as we drove to La Castellana the following morning to provide emergency relief in the form of Mingo Meals. As the sun rose Mt. Kanlaon appeared to be sleeping under a blanket of clouds.
At La Castellana South Elementary School in Brgy. Robles, we set up an impromptu Mingo preparation center at the back of Miggy, our pick-up. However, some children were so eager for Mingo, they ripped open the packs and hungrily consumed the Mingo in powder form.
From there we moved on to La Carlota where we visited three evacuation centers: one in Brgy. Haguimit, another in Brgy, Yubo and La Carlota City High School. In total, we served 5,103 Mingo Meals to 216 families (912 individuals). We were happy to note that the sturdy boxes that our Mingo was packed in were able to serve as makeshift sleeping mats to make people more comfortable.
By midday of June 4, most of the families were packing up to return home. We prayed that it was the last we would hear of Mr. Kanlaon’s fury.
Things seemed to be going back to normal, but in the early afternoon of June 5, it began to rain. The rain mixed with the fallen ash and lahar began to flow. Families had to flee once again. In some cases, it was difficult to escape because the lahar had blocked the doorways of houses. People had to clamber out windows in order to escape to safety.
Hearing the news, our team headed southeast once again with provisions: Mingo, drinking water, and facemasks. At times, we had to pass dark backroads and take shortcuts to avoid the lahar.
Families trekked to their respective Barangay Halls where they waited for rescuers. The rescue team brought 43 families (172 individuals) from Brgy. Cabacungan, Cabagnaan, Masulog and Biak na Bato to the La Castellana National High School grounds where our team was waiting for them. Policemen on site helped us serve Mingo and distribute masks. For some, the journey from their home to the high school grounds too more than six hours. After the adrenaline rush wore off, they wearily lay down on Mingo box mats to rest. Some only got to get some sleep in the early hours of June 6. We made sure to leave enough Mingo and drinking water to tide everyone over till more supplies arrived.
Donations from generous souls continued to pour in and after taking some time to rest and regroup, the team headed out again bright and early on June 7. Upon arriving at the evacuation centers to serve Mingo once again, we were happy to see aid from both the private and public sector. Seeing that there was a good supply of food, we considered saving our extra packs of Mingo for when it was really needed. However, when the children saw that we still had extra packs of Mingo, they raised their hands to ask if they could have some to snack on another time. In total, our team released 8,560 packs of Mingo that day.
We also made sure to provide clean drinking water. Lahar rushed into rivers, leaving residents with no source of potable water.
On June 7, we visited the following evacuation centers:
1. Don Felix Elementary School for Brgy. Mansalanao evacuees
2. Mormons Church for Brgy. Mansalanao and Biak na Bato evacuees
3. St. Vincent for Brgy. Cabanag-an and Mansalanao evacuees
4. South Elementary School for Brgy. Mansalanao evacuees
5. La Castellana National High School for Brgy. Biak na Bato and Brgy. Sag-ang evacuees.
La Carlota evacuees were brought home by noon.
Families may have to stay at evacuation centers a while longer. And, even when they return home, they will need help getting back on their feet. Most, if not all, of the families in the area live off the land. Unfortunately, the recent ashfall has left the environment practically lifeless. People will have to re-plant their crops and wait for a harvest. In the meantime, we knock on the doors of your hearts for help.
If you would like to help these families get back on their feet, you may send a gift of love to the following accounts:
For BPI Donations: Bank: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Account Name: Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation Inc. Current Account Number (Peso): 1320011147
For Metrobank Donations: Bank: Metrobank Account Name: Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation Inc. Current Account Number (Peso): 546-7-54600739-8
For Union Bank Donations: Bank: Unionbank Account Name: Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation Inc. Current Account Number (Peso): 002790004359
Donations may also be sent in via Gcash or Paymaya:
We issue Official Receipts for all donations, please send your transaction slip/shot to [email protected] along with your name and city address (ex: Bacolod City, Muntinlupa City) so that we can properly acknowledge your assistance. Please indicate that this is a donation for KANLAON EMERGENCY RELIEF so we will be sure to earmark it for that effort. Thank you so much for all your help!
