REBUILDING HOMES. Staff of the city government and concerned government agencies provide assistance in rebuilding the home of a family displaced by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Purok Manokan, Barangay Ilijan, Bago City in Negros Occidental. A total of 22 families returned home on Saturday (Aug. 16, 2025) after staying in evacuation centers for eight months. (Photo courtesy of OCD-Negros Island Region)
BACOLOD CITY – Volunteers from the city government and other government agencies joined hands to help rebuild the homes of 22 families displaced by the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
Composed of 81 internally displaced individuals (IDPs), the families evacuated their homes in Purok Manokan, Barangay Ilijan after Alert Level 3 was hoisted during the explosive eruption on Dec. 9 last year.
On July 29 when the volcano's status was lowered to Level 2, they were allowed to finally return home.
"'Bayanihan sa Bago' (Cooperation in Bago) is real, we felt it and was so blessed by it," Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
The mayor joined the volunteers in bringing home 92-year-old Nanay Bukay, walking for more than an hour to reach Purok Manokan.
"We will remain grateful for all the Earth angels sent to help rebuild the homes of our people. In unity, there is always strength and I thank the Lord for each of you," she added.
In a statement, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said that through the "Bayanihan kag Pagbangon: Rebuild and Adopt a Home" initiative, they aim "not only to rebuild houses, but also restore hope and dignity" among the displaced families.
"Two weeks of preparation brought together national and local agencies, volunteers, city and barangay officials," CDRRMO head Dr. Merijene Ortizo said.
The displaced families have occupied the city's new relocation site called "Payag sang Kapag-on Village" in Barangay Napoles since March 31, after staying for almost four months at the regional evacuation center in Barangay Lag-asan.
Ortizo said the initial plan was only to provide each family with cash assistance of PHP10,000 and roofing sheets.
However, they thought that extending help to the IDPs should go beyond providing them with a means of transportation.
"Looking at decampment in a much deeper meaning means not only providing them with transportation to go home, but rather giving the IDPs the Bagonhon kind of care," Ortizo said.
When the 22 families returned home, they received more construction materials, family food packs and grocery packages from the local and national governments, and private donors.
Among the volunteers were executives and staff of various city departments and offices, as well as personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Office of Civil Defense, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection. (PNA)
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