3,000 evacuees return home after Kanlaon alert downgrade

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Nearly 3,000 evacuees from Kanlaon Volcano in two affected areas on Negros Island have returned to their homes after spending seven months in evacuation centers.

The return followed the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (PHIVOLCS) recent downgrade of Kanlaon Volcano’s alert level from 3 to 2.

The downgrade was based on a decline in volcanic earthquakes, reduced gas emissions, and a pause in ground deformation activity.

In Negros Occidental, 471 families—or 1,548 individuals—living outside the four-kilometer danger zone in La Castellana town were cleared to go home as of Aug. 1, according to Mayor Añejo Nicor.

Nicor said the evacuees had been eager to return, having lived in temporary shelters since the Dec. 9, 2024 eruption.

“They were happy,” he said.

Government agencies facilitated the residents’ transportation, while the local government provided food support during the transition.

The families had previously been housed in evacuation centers at covered courts in Barangays Masulog, Cabagna-an, Mansalanao, Biak na Bato, Old Fabrica, and the Cabacungan National High School Annex.

However, 27 families opted to remain in evacuation centers due to ashfall damage to their homes.

These include five families from Barangay Biak na Bato, 10 from Barangay Masulog, and 12 from Cabagna-an.

Residents still within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone are required to stay in evacuation sites pending further safety assessments.

Earlier, around 800 families from Barangay Cabagna-an were allowed to return home despite initially leaving evacuation centers without formal approval.

Their return was later permitted due to the municipal government’s financial limitations, with barangay officials directed to monitor the situation in case of renewed volcanic activity.

Nicor said the local government remains committed to assisting affected families but admitted that support will depend on available resources, as the prolonged crisis has strained the town’s budget.

In Negros Oriental, 1,400 evacuees from several barangays—including Masulog, Pula, Malaiba, Lumapao, and parts of Linuthangan in Canlaon City—began returning home on July 31, according to Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas.

Some evacuees have chosen to remain in tents, possibly due to comfort or lingering concerns over safety.

Cardenas said the local government is encouraging them to return and begin repairs on their homes.