BACOLod City — More than 1,500 evacuees from La Castellana, Negros Occidental, were permitted to return to their residences on August 1, 2025, after spending nearly eight months in evacuation centers and makeshift shelters due to the activity of Kanlaon Volcano.

A total of 471 families residing within the six-kilometer danger zone surrounding the volcano were able to go back after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered the volcano’s alert status from Level 3 to Level 2.

La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor expressed relief over the development, noting the prolonged evacuation had heavily strained the municipality’s Quick Response Funds and other financial resources. "They were very happy to return," Nicor stated, emphasizing the positive impact on residents who can now resume their normal lives and livelihoods.

However, 27 families living within a four-kilometer radius of the volcano are still prohibited from returning to their homes and will be relocated to permanent housing sites to ensure their safety.

The Office of Civil Defense has contributed galvanized roofing materials to help repair damaged homes, while Mayor Nicor continues to seek additional assistance from government agencies to support recovery efforts. "We need support from the Department of Education for school roof repairs and aid for farm rehabilitation," he added. The mayor also expressed hope that Kanlaon Volcano remains stable in the near future.

Similar movements occurred in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, where about 1,400 evacuees were able to return home following the downgrade of the volcano’s alert status.

Kanlaon, the highest peak in Negros Island and the most active volcano in the Visayas, first erupted on December 9, 2024, emitting a 3,000-meter ash plume. It erupted again in April and May of 2025, prompting the large-scale evacuations that lasted months.

The gradual return of residents marks a significant step toward normalcy for affected communities, though authorities remain vigilant given the volcano’s activity history.