BACOLOD CITY — The provincial government of Negros Occidental announced that the province is now under a state of calamity following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) recommended the declaration after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the volcano’s Alert Level to 3, indicating a magmatic eruption that could lead to further explosive activity.

Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who presided over the special session of the Provincial Board, said the declaration would allow Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson to tap the province’s quick response fund (QRF) to provide assistance to affected residents.

“The province will assist those in need. What’s important is we can extend financial assistance to those with reported damage,” Ferrer said.

The province’s QRF, which amounts to approximately P78 million, is a standby fund for relief and recovery efforts.

In addition to authorizing the release of calamity funds, the Provincial Board also supported the PDRRMC’s request to impose a price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities to prevent price gouging and hoarding.

As of Friday, 5,082 families, or 17,216 individuals, have been affected by the eruption in the cities of Bago and La Carlota, and the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia and Pontevedra. Over 3,600 families are currently staying in evacuation centers, with La Castellana being the hardest-hit area.

The provincial government is implementing its contingency plan to support the over 33,000 individuals residing within the six-kilometer radius of the volcano.