A total of 83 families or 263 individuals displaced by the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon were allowed to return home yesterday.

Edna Lhou Masicampo, designated information officer of Canlaon City, said in an interview that these displaced families were from Barangays Pula, Masulog, and Linothangan, which are within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of the volcano.

“They were allowed to return home provided that they leave immediately when the conditions of Mt. Kanlaon will intensify and evacuation is necessary,” she said in the vernacular.

Masicampo said the city government has deployed rescue vehicles to all 12 barangays while relief aid continues for the displaced residents.

Meanwhile, the Incident Management Team headed by Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has ordered the cancellation of all activities in line with the Charter Day celebration of Canlaon City on July 2, except for a thanksgiving mass and a wreath-laying rite.

Masicampo quoted the mayor as saying that the cancellation of activities is just appropriate as the city is facing a crisis.

As of yesterday, Alert Level 2 remains hoisted over Mt. Kanlaon. (PNA)