More than 3,600 people remain displaced in the Negros Island Region following Kanlaon Volcano’s recent activity, according to Department of Social Welfare and Development data released Monday.
The DSWD said 1,124 families, or 3,628 individuals, were still unable to return home.
Of the total, 85 people from 23 families were staying in three evacuation centers, while 3,543 others from 1,101 families had sought shelter with relatives or friends.
Since Kanlaon erupted on July 11, the volcanic unrest has affected 18,856 families, or 62,785 people, in 12 barangays across the region.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency had initially sent 6,000 family food packs for affected residents, including those in evacuation centers.
She said authorities were also conducting a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis to determine what additional assistance local governments and communities require.
Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, indicating increased volcanic unrest.
Authorities warned that the alert level could be raised to Level 3 if sustained and intensifying crater glow signals a possible magmatic eruption.
Such an eruption could produce pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, ballistic projectiles, ashfall and rockfall.
Residents within the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone were advised to remain evacuated, while communities in other hazard zones were told to stay alert and prepare for possible evacuation.