37 Families Leave Evacuation Site Amid Kanlaon Threat

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – At least 37 families, or about 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs), left their evacuation center and returned to their homes in Barangay Cabagna-an, La Castellana on Monday, despite the continuing threat of a Kanlaon volcano eruption.

Fifth District Rep. Atty. Dino Yulo said he was not surprised by their decision, responding in Ilonggo, “Dapat,” when asked for his reaction during the joint oathtaking of 5th District elected officials.

“They’ve already been there for the last six months — they are physically exhausted, mentally disturbed, psychologically distressed, and sexually deprived,” he said.

Yulo added, “Yet there is no clear plan on what’s going to happen in the next three months, the next six months, or next year.”

“Assuming that this crisis continues in the coming years, are we just going to tell them to abandon their livelihoods?” he asked.

He stressed the need for clear direction and long-term planning.

“Number one: I don’t think they would willingly live in a tent city. Number two: I don’t think they would just abandon their only means of livelihood. And number three: They are also concerned about their family’s future,” Yulo said.

“If they haven’t received a clear message, I share their frustration — we don’t know the plan either. The ones making decisions are the police and perhaps the OCD (Office of Civil Defense),” he said.

“Maybe it’s even better that they’re misbehaving a bit, so their problems will be noticed,” he added.

Yulo said that if the situation remains unresolved, he plans to deliver a privilege speech in Congress to bring the matter to the attention of the national government.

He shared that he discussed the issue with Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who attended the oathtaking in Moises Padilla.

He also briefed DepEd Undersecretary Peter Cordera on the dual use of classrooms as evacuation centers by night and classrooms by day.

Yulo said evacuees even need umbrellas because the roofs of the classrooms were damaged by ashfall.

DepEd committed to looking into the situation in La Castellana, he added.

“So I’m actually glad they acted out a little,” he said.

On the matter of relocation, Yulo emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution.

“We can’t just take them out of their comfort zones — not only are we displacing them, but we’re also removing their source of livelihood,” he said.

He suggested relocating the evacuees to Barangay Lalagsan or Talaptap, both outside the danger zone.

He also proposed the creation of a new township or small village with livelihood support.

“I have a novel idea — if we can find a CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program) area there, then we can provide them with livelihood,” Yulo said.

He described the current situation as ironic.

“During the day, we let them go home, but we’re afraid they might get caught in an eruption,” he said.

La Castellana Vice Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan confirmed that 37 of 76 families left the evacuation site.

She said one evacuee with a truck went to check on his home, prompting others to join him and return to the barangay.

Mangilimutan said the IDPs could not be stopped.

She added that the LGU would ask them to return but stressed that final decisions rest with the OCD.