• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Families displaced by the latest moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in the cities of La Carlota and Bago in Negros Occidental have returned home, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña said on Sunday, Feb. 22.
The return of 34 four families, composed of 115 individuals, to their homes in Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City on Feb. 21 was assisted by the local disaster council, Department of Social Welfare and Development, uniformed personnel, and various partner agencies.
Classes across all levels, both in private and public, resumes in La Carlota Monday.
The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) distributed 20,000 N95 face masks and 5,000 protected googles to La Carlota as well.
Majority of the 26 affected families in Barangay Ilijan, Bago City also returned home, Ploteña said.
OCD-NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III lauded the prompt action of the barangays and the local government units in the effective implementation of preemptive evacuations immediately after the volcanic activity.
While residents are heading back, authorities emphasized that vigilance remains crucial, with continuous monitoring of the volcano’s status.
About 50 barangays in nine local government units were affected by the ashfall.
As of Feb. 22, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged nine volcanic quakes at Kanlaon Volcano.
Alert Level 2 or moderate level of volcanic unrest remains in effect over the volcano. | GB
