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Eleven families in Barangay Caidiocan in Valencia, Negros Oriental, who were affected by the naturally expanding geothermal steam vents, will receive financial aid from the local government of Valencia and the Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

Barangay Caidiocan is one of the host geothermal barangays in Valencia, home of the Palinpinon I and II geothermal power plants of the Energy Development Corporation-Green Core Geothermal, Inc.

Valencia Mayor Ricky Gonzalez said they have recently received a clearance from the Commission on Audit (COA) to release the funds for the beneficiaries.

The mayor is expected to meet with the representatives of EDC soon to discuss the date and details on the distribution of the financial aid.

The EDC and the local government of Valencia both have agreed to give counterpart funds for the financial aid for the affected families.

The assistance, amounting to P1 million, will be divided among the 11 families based on the assessment conducted by EDC and the Valencia LGU.

Valencia information officer Des Tilos said the amount that will be given to the beneficiaries will vary, based on the assessment of the house and the size of the family.

Some of the beneficiaries will receive as much as P214,000 while the smallest family will receive P43,000.

The beneficiaries are Romulo Morales, Pedro Mondejar, Domingo Tina-an, Florencio Dales, Sr., Carmencity Agir, Alfredo Dales, Ricardo Vincoy, Diosdado Morales, Eddie Dales, Primitivo Morales and Efren Morales.

These families had to relocate or were advised to transfer after naturally occurring geothermal steam vents were found to be expanding in the area where their houses are situated, putting their lives at risk. (PNA)