Kanlaon Evacuees Escape Expanded Danger Zone
BACOLOD CITY — On Monday, June 30, 37 families totaling 89 members fled their evacuation camp without permission. They returned to their homes inside the six-kilometer expanded danger zone of Barangay Cabagnaan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental. This defiance occurred despite ongoing volcanic activity around Mt. Kanlaon.
Donato Sermeno III, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, confirmed that the Regional Incident Management Team will step in to manage and resolve the situation. The exact reasons behind the evacuees’ return are tied to their concern over prolonged displacement.
Mount Kanlaon’s Ongoing Volcanic Risks
Since Mt. Kanlaon erupted on December 9, 2024, hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been residing in evacuation centers scattered across La Castellana. The volcano remains at Alert Level 3, signaling magmatic unrest and the potential for eruptions that could unleash dangerous volcanic hazards.
According to local authorities, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology advises residents within a six-kilometer radius of the summit crater to stay evacuated. This precaution is due to threats like pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, and rockfall.
Challenges in Evacuee Management
The evacuees had been temporarily housed in classrooms to allow the resumption of face-to-face classes. However, this move caused discomfort among the displaced families, prompting restlessness and eventually leading some to escape the camps.
John de Asis, head of the La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, explained that the IDPs were relocated from La Castellana Elementary School to the Senior High School. Despite these efforts, maintaining their stay in evacuation centers has become increasingly difficult.
Mayor Añejo Nicor of La Castellana convened an emergency Incident Management Team meeting on the same day to address the growing concerns and unrest among evacuees.
Mount Kanlaon’s Threats and Community Response
A striking image captured from Bago City showed a plume of ash and volcanic debris rising approximately four kilometers from Mt. Kanlaon’s vent. The visual underscores the ongoing threat the volcano poses to nearby communities.
Local leaders note that the situation remains delicate. While authorities urge residents to prioritize safety and stay within evacuation zones, the evacuees’ urge to return home reveals the social and emotional challenges displacement brings.
For more news and updates on Mt. Kanlaon and volcanic activity, visit Filipinokami.com.