THE local government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental led by Mayor Añejo Nicor (center) and the Incident Management Team (IMT) hold a meeting on Monday afternoon, June 30, after Kanlaon Volcano evacuees from Barangay Cabagna-an left an evacuation center without permission from authorities. (Photo via Arangka La Castellana FB)
BACOLOD CITY – The local government of La Castellana in Negros Occidental and the Incident Management Team (IMT) have urged Kanlaon Volcano evacuees who left an evacuation center without permission to come back.
In a Facebook post, the local government emphasized that evacuees are allowed to visit their houses during their window time from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It also called the attention of individuals who allegedly conducted a meeting at the Senior High School evacuation center and convinced some evacuees from Barangay Cabagna-an to return to their homes without the permission of proper authorities.
A total of 37 families or 100 individuals left the evacuation center on Monday morning despite the prohibition from returning to the six-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ).
Authorities also called the attention of the person who took a video of the evacuees while riding a truck and posted it on social media. “You are also encouraged to turn down or delete your post on social media,” they added.
They asked for a written explanation or appear personally to the IMT or the barangay chairman within 24 hours.
Vice Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, in a media interview on Monday, said they do not discount the possibility that politics could be behind the incident.
She said they will again convince the fleeing evacuees to return to their temporary shelters for their safety.