Evacuees at the Don Florencio Villafranca National High School being informed that they can go home.* Himamaylan CSWDO photo
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson on Sunday, October 16, ordered the resumption of classes in barangays Cabadiangan and Carabalan effective Wednesday, October 19.
Classes had been suspended in the two barangays on October 6 following armed clashes between government and rebel forces that caused thousands of residents to evacuate.
Eight armed clashes in Carabalan also left a top rebel leader and two government soldiers dead.
The mayor, in Executive Order 2022-47, said he was declaring the resumption of classes because the Philippine Army Incident Management Team (IMT) on Saturday recommended that except for evacuees residing in sitio Campayas, Medel, Sig-ang of Barangay Carabalan, all evacuees from barangays Cabadiangan and Carabalan may return to their homes.
Tongson said on consultation with School Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine D. Sales, she recommended the resumption of classes in barangays Cabadiangan and Carabalan, except for students residing in sitios Campayas, Medel and Sig-ang who will be provided with modules at the various evacuation centers, where they are temporarily staying.
The mayor, in a post on his Facebook page, said the evacuees at the Don Florencio Villafranca National High School and Manuel Yulo Elementary School were allowed to return home starting Saturday afternoon.
Except for those from sitios Campayas, Sig-ang and Medel, the mayor also said the rest of the evacuees at the Carabalan Elementary School and Carabalan Covered Court can also go home.
Tongson said 122 families with 490 individuals staying at the Tongo Elementary School and High School and 112 families with 476 individuals at the Carabalan Covered Court and Elementary Scool had gone home.
The mayor appealed for continued prayers for lasting peace and the safety of everyone in the affected communities.
He also thanked all those who provided help for the evacuees.*