Kanlaon Volcano erupted explosively early Tuesday morning, prompting ashfall across parts of Negros Occidental and triggering evacuations, according to the Office of Civil Defense Region 6 (OCD 6).
Ashfall was reported in Barangay Sag-Ang in La Castellana, Barangays Yubo and Ara-al in La Carlota, Barangay Cubay, and parts of Bago City. Evacuations are now ongoing in areas outside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone, and local authorities have suspended classes in several locations.
As of now, about 8,000 residents have already evacuated since the volcano began its heightened activity in December 2024.
PHIVOLCS Chief Teresito Bacolcol warned that volcanic ash can pose serious health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma. The ash is composed of fine rock and mineral fragments that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that aid is ready. Secretary Rex Gatchalian said over 250,000 family food packs are prepositioned in regional warehouses, with millions more available nationwide. Non-food aid such as hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and cooking supplies are also ready for deployment.
Kanlaon’s eruption began at 5:51 a.m. and lasted nearly an hour, ending at 6:47 a.m. PHIVOLCS maintains Alert Level 3, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest and the potential for hazardous eruptions in the coming weeks.
Potential hazards include explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and lahars during heavy rainfall.