NEGROS OCCIDENTAL—Some evacuees from Bago City started returning home after Kanlaon Volcano erupted violently on Monday afternoon, spewing ash that affected nearby communities.
According to Bago City Incident Management Team information officer Andrea Hojilla, residents living far from the danger zone but impacted by the ashfall were allowed to go home since Tuesday.
“More than 500 families were evacuated from Bago City after the eruption,” she said.
Currently, eight families (22 individuals) remain at the Bago City Coliseum, 191 families are housed in an elementary school, 12 families are staying at the Regional Evacuation Center, and over 100 individuals are taking shelter at the ABAP Gym.
Hojilla assured the public that relief goods, including food and clean water, are sufficient for those staying in evacuation centers. She also noted that no ashfall has been reported in the city’s poblacion area as of Wednesday.
Meanwhile, over 800 schools suspended onsite classes on December 11 amid the ongoing threat of the volcano across Western Visayas. This affected the studies of over 339,000 learners. Schools automatically shifted to the alternative modes to ensure continuity of education.
Data from the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 showed that affected divisions include:
• Antique: 289 schools
• Bago City: 47 schools
• Guimaras: 53 schools
• Himamaylan City: 56 schools
• Iloilo Province: 98 schools
• La Carlota City: 30 schools
• Negros Occidental: 225 schools
• San Carlos City: 4 schools
On the humanitarian front, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Bacolod Chapter has been conducting stress debriefing sessions in evacuation centers. It established “child-friendly spaces” to help children cope with trauma from the calamity.
According to PRC Bacolod Chapter Administrator Rita Benita Mirasol, many children experienced severe psychological stress due to the eruption. Volunteers facilitated counseling and games in areas like La Castellana and La Carlota City to address their psychosocial needs.
As evacuation centers became increasingly crowded, relief efforts were ramped up. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office in Western Visayas provided over P4.3 million in assistance thus far to affected families.
This includes 4,500 family food packs worth over P3.1 million and 884 non-food items worth over P1.1 million. The aid has been distributed to local government units in Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Murcia, and Pontevedra.
