Canlaon City, Negros Oriental–Around 263 individuals who were temporarily sheltered at evacuation centers following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon have been granted permission to return to their homes. This marks a hopeful turning point for the affected families as they begin to rebuild their lives.
The evacuation was a response to the recent activity of Kanlaon Volcano, which caused concerns about the safety of residents in the surrounding areas.
According to data from local authorities, a total of 83 families from the barangays of Pula, Masulog, and Linothangan were among those evacuated. These barangays are situated within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of the active volcano.
Edna Lhou Masicampo, the Information Officer for Canlaon City Government, confirmed that the evacuees have been notified of their clearance to return home.
“We have informed the evacuees that they are now allowed to return to their homes. However, they must be ready to evacuate again if the volcano shows signs of renewed activity,” Masicampo said.
To ensure the safety of residents, the city government has deployed rescue vehicles to 12 barangays located near Mount Kanlaon. This measure is part of a proactive approach to handle any potential escalation in volcanic activity and to ensure swift evacuations if necessary.
In light of the ongoing situation, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Cardenas has announced the cancellation of all events planned for the 57th Charter Day celebration. This decision underscores the city’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its residents over celebratory activities.
However, a thanksgiving mass and wreath-laying ceremony will proceed as scheduled, serving as a somber commemoration of the community’s resilience in the face of natural disaster.
Local authorities remain vigilant, ready to respond to any further activity from the volcano. The deployment of rescue vehicles and the readiness to re-evacuate underline the commitment to keeping the community safe while allowing residents to resume their normal lives.
Alert Level 2, indicating increased unrest, remains over Kanlaon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its latest bulletin. This means entry into the four-kilometer PDZ and flying any aircraft close to the volcano are still prohibited.
Phivolcs registered at least one volcanic earthquake based on its last monitoring. It also noted that Kanlaon spewed 2,792 tons of sulfur dioxide flux on June 12, Independence Day, and 300 meters of plume.
