BACOLOD CITY — The local government of Himamaylan City announced the resumption of classes starting Monday in three sitios in Barangay Carabalan, which were affected by the recent encounters between government troops and communist rebels.

Himamaylan City Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson Jr. revealed that the areas included Sitios Campayas, Medel and Sig-ang, which have been cleared by the Philippine Army on 18 October, allowing the displaced families in these areas to return home on 19 October.

"On consultation with Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales, the former recommended the resumption of classes in Sitio Campayas, Medel and Sig-ang," Tongson said.

Residents of the three sitios were the last to leave the evacuation centers last week, after being away from home for almost two weeks since the skirmishes between troops of the 94th Infantry Battalion and New People's Army rebels began in Sitio Sig-ang on 6 October.