BACOLOD City – Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz of Negros Occidental convened a coordination meeting with La Castellana’s Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, representatives from concerned government agencies, and key stakeholders to discuss the relocation of evacuees from school-based shelters to alternative safe sites.
La Castellana was the most severely affected locality following the recent eruption of Mount Kanlaon. Other local government units (LGUs) that have reported evacuees include the cities of La Carlota and Bago.
In La Castellana alone, over 2,000 evacuees from barangays Sag-ang, Mansalanao, Masulog, Biak-na-Bato, and Cabagnaan are scheduled to be relocated from schools to barangay covered courts and other identified safe zones.
The transition aims to ensure the resumption of classes and safeguard the dignity and welfare of displaced families.
During the meeting, a report was presented on the decampment of school-based evacuation centers in compliance with National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Memorandum No. 135, Series of 2025, which mandates the clearing of schools used as evacuation sites ahead of the new school year.
The provincial government assured the public that evacuees will continue to receive essential services, facilities, and basic necessities during the transition period.
Meanwhile, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the provincial government is currently negotiating with the owner of a private lot eyed as a relocation site for residents living within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon. The province has pledged full support to the La Castellana LGU to ensure the success of the relocation initiative.
It was reported that the provincial government has earmarked P14 million for the establishment of a permanent relocation settlement.
An earlier proposal to relocate residents to Barangay Manghanoy was disapproved by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau due to its proximity to the town’s sanitary landfill, despite being outside the 10-kilometer danger zone from the volcano./PN
