DUMAGUETE CITY – The local government of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental has closed seven evacuation centers after more than 500 families returned to their homes within Kanlaon Volcano’s extended danger zone, an official said Friday.

Seth Cabanas Bariga, information officer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center, said that only three evacuation centers remain open.

“As of the latest count today, some 563 families or 1,798 individuals have left the evacuation camps, but we expect the number to rise while we consolidate the reports from these temporary shelters,” he said.

Bariga reiterated that only those living outside the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of the volcano were cleared to return home.

Those who were not allowed to leave were identified as living in areas that are still “critical” in the event of steam emissions, phreatic eruptions, and magmatic explosions.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has downgraded the status of Kanlaon Volcano from Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest/high level of volcanic unrest) to Alert Level 2 (moderate level of volcanic unrest) on July 29.

These Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been staying at the evacuation centers for eight months since the volcano erupted on Dec. 9, 2024.

Bariga said only one of the three remaining evacuation camps will house the remaining IDPs once all of those who departed have been accounted for. (PNA)