Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City is steadily facilitating the decampment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been staying in three public schools serving as evacuation centers amid the continuing unrest of Kanlaon Volcano.
La Carlota Mayor Rex Jalando-on said starting yesterday, some families from evacuation centers began returning to their homes located outside the six-kilometer extended permanent danger zone (PDZ).
A total of 897 IDPs, comprising 254 families, have already returned home from various evacuation centers in the city, based on the La Carlota City coordination and camp management plan.
The returning families come from areas outside the PDZ, including Sitios Nailab, Tinin-awan, Gama, and Mansibanga in Barangay Ara-al; Sitio Jamindang in Barangay Haguimit; and Sitios Labinsawan, Bais and Batacon in Barangay Yubo.
Meanwhile, 232 IDPs from Sitio Guintubdan in Ara-al have not yet returned and remain in evacuation centers.
These families are currently housed at La Carlota South Elementary School II, La Carlota North Elementary School, the city evacuation center, and the city gymnasium.
Many evacuees remain hesitant to go back due to uncertainty about the condition of their houses after six months of displacement.
Jalando-on emphasized that the return process is voluntary, as no families are forced to leave evacuation centers.
They do not require any financial contribution from them, except for providing 15-meter tarpaulins for each household to assist with temporary shelter needs.
The local government unit has yet to provide relocation assistance or financial aid for returning families because the requested P63 million from the national government, through the Office of Civil Defense, has not arrived.
The mayor clarified that once the funds are released, they will be allocated for housing assistance.
Currently, the city government’s resources are focused on operating evacuation centers.
Assistance
Meanwhile, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has assured financial assistance to local government units hosting IDPs affected by the eruption.
This includes support for La Castellana, which is preparing a permanent relocation site for evacuees within the PDZ.
Lacson confirmed that funds are available for the development of permanent relocation sites and evacuation centers, responding to La Castellana government’s request for approximately P167 million to cover housing and infrastructure for displaced families.
The total financial aid requested by La Castellana for the needs of evacuees currently staying in evacuation centers amounts to about P714 million.
However, the proposed relocation site in the town has yet to meet the criteria set by the Office of Civil Defense, delaying its approval and implementation.
The provincial government is also encouraging IDPs to stay with relatives or friends outside the danger zone to reduce the number of evacuees in temporary shelters, which would help lessen the ongoing food and logistical expenses./JB, WDJ