• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the activity at Kanlaon Volcano subsides, families displaced by its recent moderately explosive eruption in the cities of La Carlota and Bago in Negros Occidental, have returned to their respective homes, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña disclosed on Sunday.
The return of 34 four families, composed of 115 individuals, to their homes in Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City, was assisted by the local disaster council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, uniformed personnel, and various partner agencies, on February 21, two days after the eruption.
Classes across all levels in private and public schools resume today in La Carlota.
The Office of Civil Defense – Negros Island Region also distributed 20,000 N95 face masks and 5,000 protected googles to La Carlota City Mayor Joelu Jalandoni.
Majority of the 26 affected families in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City, have also returned to their homes, Ploteña added.
Donato Sermeno III, Office of Civil Defense regional director for Negros Island Region, lauded the prompt actions of barangay officials and local government units for their effective implementation of preemptive evacuations immediately following the volcanic activity.
While residents are heading back, authorities emphasize that vigilance remains crucial, with continuous monitoring of the volcano’s status.
About 50 barangays in nine local government units were affected by ashfall during the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
As of Feb. 22, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has logged nine volcanic quakes at Kanlaon Volcano.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect over the volcano, despite its continued restiveness.*
