• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island erupted anew on Friday night, the fifth since December 2024.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a three-minute minor explosive eruption after a series of ash emissions while the volcano is under Alert Level 2.
Phivolcs said the eruption occurred from 8:05 p.m. to 8:08 p.m., emitting a plume that rose about 2,000 meters above the crater before drifting northeast.
Pyroclastic density currents were also observed by Phivolcs to have been flowing down the southern upper slopes, within one kilometer of the summit crater.
Major eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano were recorded on June 3 and Dec. 9 last year.
These were followed by a minor explosive eruption last Feb. 6, and a moderate explosive eruption on May 13, ejecting large ballistic fragments from the crater.
The Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the barangays of Mailum, Ma-ao, Ilijan, Bacong and Abuanan experienced ashfall.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Negros Occidental also reported ash fall in Sitio Guintubdan, Brgy. Araal in La Carlota City and Brgy. Zamora in Pontevedra, and Brgy. Codcod in San Carlos City, as well as sulfuric smell in Brgy. Cabagnaan, La Castellana, and Brgy. Minoyan in Murcia.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered all its police units to heighten readiness and implement immediate safety measures, following the latest eruption.
PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, said they are on full alert and ready to assist in evacuation, traffic management, and disaster response operations.
In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas called on residents to remain calm and alert as the city started to pre-position the resources and personnel of the City Risk Reduction Management Office to evacuate the affected residents.
Mayor Joe Luis Jalandoni advised residents of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. | GB
