La Carlota City’s Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in Negros Occidental has firmly rejected allegations of corruption in handling donations for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The CSWDO responded to accusations circulating on social media, clarifying that these claims are unfounded and only aim to spread misinformation during a crisis.
“These baseless accusations, posted on the La Carlota Pulse page, seek to divide and misinform the public,” the CSWDO stated on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
The CSWDO reassured the public that it carries out relief efforts, including the distribution of donations, with full transparency and in line with national guidelines to ensure equitable aid for all evacuees.
“Our camp management ensures fair distribution of assistance, transparency, and accountability. We record, acknowledge, and distribute donations equitably among IDPs,” it said.
More evacuees
As the eruption continues to displace thousands, local authorities intensify relief operations to meet the urgent needs of over 46,000 affected individuals.
The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Monday, January 6, that 12,223 families (46,781 individuals) have been displaced.
Of these, 4,128 families (13,454 individuals) are taking refuge in 34 evacuation centers, while another 2,351 families (7,458 individuals) are sheltering outside the centers, staying with relatives or in temporary accommodations.
Critical Needs in Canlaon City (Region VII):
- Patient transport vehicles
- Portable toilets
- Pillows
- Burners with gas tanks
- Plastic pallets
- Folding beds
- Blankets
- Solar lights
- Foam covers
Essential Supplies for La Castellana (Region VI):
- Food packs
- Chlorinators and aqua tabs
- Hygiene kits and wash kits
- First aid kits
- Bathing facilities
- Portable toilets
- Folding beds
- Kitchen sets
- Modular tents
- Sleeping kits
- Tarps and bedding materials
- Face masks
Tent Cities:
- Ground cover and sleeping mats for displaced families
Authorities are closely monitor and coordinate relief operations with local government units (LGUs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and volunteer groups, while the DSWD oversees the distribution of Family Food Packs.
Meanwhile, schools in safer grounds near Mount Kanlaon has already given green light to open its doors for students.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.