Bacolod: Concerned government agencies are providing assistance to local government units (LGUs) in the continued decampment of the remaining internally displaced persons (IDPs) after Mt. Kanlaon’s status has been lowered to Alert Level 2.

According to Philippines News Agency, Regional Director Donato Sermeno III of the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) noted that while groups of IDPs in La Castellana, Negros Occidental and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental have been returning home since last week, some individuals still remain in evacuation centers. Additionally, several families from the cities of Bago and La Carlota have yet to return to their homes.

Data from the La Castellana Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office indicates that 61 families, comprising 213 individuals, are still residing in four evacuation centers. The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported that personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health have been visiting these evacuation centers since August 1.

The RDRRMC also mentioned ongoing relocation efforts for those whose houses were damaged or destroyed. Government trucks and other vehicles have been mobilized to aid in transporting evacuees and their belongings back to their communities. A restoration initiative is being planned, focusing on recovery and rebuilding through collaborative efforts.

On July 29, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reduced Kanlaon Volcano’s status to Alert Level 2, down from Alert Level 3, prompting affected LGUs to organize the decampment of IDPs residing outside the four-kilometer permanent danger zone. These individuals have been in evacuation centers since a series of explosions occurred in December last year.