By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – The Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental began allowing some families displaced by Kanlaon Volcano’s activity to return home on Jan. 9, but under strict limitations.
Edna Lhou Masicampo, Canlaon City’s public information officer, said around 300 families from 10 evacuation centers were permitted to return to their homes outside the six-kilometer danger zone. The return is limited to the hours between 3 a.m. and 5 p.m. due to livelihood concerns.
Masicampo explained that most evacuees are farmers needing to harvest and sell crops. Riders delivering parcels outside the city are given exemptions to stay beyond the 5 p.m. curfew.
“All actions here follow the mandate of the inter-agency, in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD),” Masicampo said.
Currently, the city has 1,997 families, or 6,361 individuals, displaced by the volcano’s unrest. Of these, 1,351 families (4,337 persons) are in evacuation centers, while 646 families (2,024 individuals) are staying outside the centers.
Masicampo noted that evacuees were initially allowed to return to the danger zone from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
However, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas negotiated for earlier access, accommodating the harvesting needs of farmers and merchants.
Evacuees permitted to return are issued access passes to ensure authorities can monitor and quickly evacuate them if necessary.
“They are not allowed to stay overnight because we can never predict when the volcano might erupt again,” Masicampo said.
She added that the city has also accommodated residents outside the danger zone who voluntarily evacuated due to limited resources. Mayor Cardenas accepted them, provided government funds remain available to support their needs.
Meanwhile, Bago City and La Castellana town in Negros Occidental began decamping evacuees beyond the six-kilometer radius on Jan. 8.
However, La Carlota City maintained its status quo, keeping evacuees in place, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed.
