Preparations are underway in the cities of Bago and La Carlota in Negros Occidental for the decampment of their internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon later this week.
A total of 61 displaced families with 225 individuals in La Carlota are set to return home to Barangay Ara-al on Aug. 14, while 22 families with 81 individuals in Bago are preparing to go home to Barangay Ilijan on Aug. 16.
On Monday afternoon, the Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reported it is assessing the situation of the IDPs temporarily staying at Payag sang Kapag-on Village in Barangay Napoles.
“These assessments are essential for creating accurate recovery plans, prioritizing urgent needs, and directing resources where they are most needed,” the report said.
Personnel of the Research and Planning Section are gathering feedback from the IDPs on the services they have received and conducting both human resource and needs analysis to identify skills, manpower, and essential needs.
A damage and loss assessment aims to determine the extent of physical damage and economic impacts caused by the volcanic eruption to the displaced families.
“Through these efforts, we aim to restore not only damaged infrastructure such as roofing systems but also the livelihoods, dignity, and well-being of the 22 affected families, ensuring that no one is left behind as we rebuild and move forward together,” the CDRRMO said.
Meanwhile, the La Carlota CDRRMC said it is implementing safeguards to ensure a safe and smooth transition for the returning families.
The IDPs will receive aid packages including food boxes, galvanized steel sheets for shelter reinforcement, and cash assistance, it said in a report.
In a meeting last week, the CDRMMC approved resolutions mandating the decampment plan, prohibiting human activity within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), and outlining the Kanlaon Volcano eruption response and evacuation plan with integrated Covid-19 protocols.
Part of the discussions were plans to establish a permanent relocation center, it added.
The decampments are set after about eight months in evacuation centers following the series of explosions of Kanlaon Volcano since December last year.
On July 29, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology lowered the status of Kanlaon Volcano to Alert Level 2 (moderate level of volcanic unrest), from Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest/high level of volcanic unrest).
The downgrading of the volcano’s alert status allows the decampment of the IDPs whose houses are located outside the four-kilometer PDZ.
Meanwhile, tourist destinations in La Carlota City, Bago City and La Castellana in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental outside Kanlaon Volcano’s 4-kilomter permanent danger zone are allowed to operate, Donato Sermeno, Office of Civil Defense Negros Island Region head, said.*PNA