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Local government

Unauthorized Decampment of IDPs from La Castellana, Negros Occidental

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In a surprise move, at least 33 families or 89 persons affected by the unrest of Mt. Kanlaon have prematurely left the La Castellana National High School evacuation center without permission, despite the ongoing volcanic eruption that led to their initial displacement. The incident was revealed through a video posted on Facebook, which showed the internally displaced persons (IDPs) boarding a truck to return home, citing the difficulty of staying in tents. In response, the local government unit (LGU) and incident management team (IMT) have launched an investigation and appealed to the IDPs to return to the evacuation center, while also calling attention to the individuals who convinced them to leave.

Key Takeaways:

  • The unauthorized decampment of 33 families or 89 persons from the La Castellana National High School evacuation center has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption.
  • The LGU and IMT are investigating the incident and have appealed to the IDPs to return to the evacuation center, where they can access necessary support and services.
  • The municipal government has posted an appeal on social media for the IDPs to return to the evacuation center, and has called attention to the individuals who convinced them to leave.
  • The IDPs from Barangay Cabagna-an were transferred to tent shelters in a school covered court and adjacent vacant lot of the LCNHS Senior High School campus, where they were staying before being transferred to other shelters ahead of the opening of classes on June 16.
  • La Castellana in Negros Occidental is the hardest-hit LGU, with more than 3,000 persons still staying in evacuation centers, including those from at least five barangays.
  • The Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating that "magmatic eruption has begun and may progress to further explosive eruptions."

Statistics:

  • At least 33 families or 89 persons affected by the Mt. Kanlaon eruption have prematurely left the La Castellana National High School evacuation center without permission.
  • The LGU and IMT are investigating the incident and have appealed to the IDPs to return to the evacuation center.
  • More than 3,000 persons are still staying in evacuation centers in La Castellana in Negros Occidental, including those from at least five barangays.
  • The IDPs from Barangay Cabagna-an were transferred to tent shelters in a school covered court and adjacent vacant lot of the LCNHS Senior High School campus.
  • Kanlaon Volcano has been under Alert Level 3 since its explosive eruption on December 9, indicating that "magmatic eruption has begun and may progress to further explosive eruptions."

Sources:

  • Philippines News agency, "LGU, IMT investigate unauthorized decampment of IDPs from La Castellana," June 30, 2025.

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