After more than eight months 61 families with 225 members from La Carlota City finally returned home on Thursday, August 14.
The families had been living in evacuation centers following Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption on Dec. 9, 2024.
They were given the all-clear to go home after the volcano’s alert level was lowered from three to two on June 29.
The homes they are returning to are located in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al.
La Carlota City Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni said each family received GI sheets and P1,800 in cash assistance.
Meanwhile, in Bago City 22 families with 81 members will return home on Saturday, Dr. Merijene Ortizo, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, said.
Ortizo said the “Bayanihan spirit” will be on display as Bago City government employees and private sector volunteers will accompany the evacuees home to help them repair their houses, which were damaged by the volcanic eruptions.
Each returning household in Bago City will receive painted GI sheets for roofing and P10,000 in cash to help them rebuild their lives, Ortizo said.
The huts at the “Payag sang Kapag-on Village” in Barangay Napoles, Bago City, where the evacuees have been staying, will be maintained by the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office for use during future calamities, she added.*