In the wake of the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, Canlaon City in Negros Oriental has ramped up its efforts to provide safe havens for those displaced by the volcanic activity. The local government has established additional evacuation centers to cope with the increasing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Lt. Stephen Polinar from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office reported that five centers are now fully operational, including the Macario Española Memorial School, the Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School Uptown Annex, its main campus, the city gymnasium, and Panubigan Elementary School. As of the latest count, these facilities are sheltering 863 families, which amounts to 2,819 individuals. The evacuees hail from five barangays located within the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone of Mt. Kanlaon, and their evacuation was mandated by the city authorities. Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas personally greeted the evacuees on Wednesday evening, ensuring them that the city is committed to providing necessary food and relief supplies. To manage the increased number of evacuees, the city gymnasium has been equipped with modular tents, and school classrooms have been transformed into temporary living quarters. Meanwhile, Mayor Cardenas has lifted the suspension of government work through Executive Order No. 93, s. 2024, signaling a return to normalcy in city operations. However, he emphasized the need for continued vigilance and monitoring of the volcanic situation to ensure public safety.
