• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
For the third time this year, Mt. Kanlaon erupted last night, blanketing several barangays in central Negros with ash, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
The moderately explosive eruption at 6:07 p.m. Sunday was the third since February 19 and February 26.
According to Phivolcs, the eruption lasted for one minute and sent a 5‑kilometer column of ash into the air, drifting southeast and northeast.
Initial reports from the Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region (OCD‑NIR) indicated ash fall in Brgy. Odiong, Moises Padilla, as well as in Mansalanao, Cabagna‑an, Cabacungan, Camandag, Manghanoy, and Biak‑na‑Bato, all in La Castellana.
Ashfall was also reported in Canmoros, San Vicente, San Pedro, San Teodoro, Santo Rosario, San Jose, Bagroy, Payao, Paglaum, Marina, Enclaro, and Progreso in Binalbagan, according to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Isabela Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo reported ash fall in Hacienda Salud and Sitio Calapnisan in Brgy. Rumirang; Hacienda Bacan in Brgy. Guintubhan; Sitio Crossing in Brgy. Bungahin; and Brgy. Bulad in Isabela.
Residents of Brgy. Mailum in Bago City, Brgy. Codcod in San Carlos City, and La Carlota City also experienced a sulfuric odor.
A forest fire was reported within the 4‑kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano, according to OCD‑NIR.
The moderate eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, however, did not cause any flight cancellations last night at Bacolod‑Silay Airport.
Alert Level 2 remains raised over Kanlaon Volcano, with entry prohibited into its 4‑kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.
Classes today in Himamaylan City, La Castellana, and Binalbagan were suspended due to ash fall.
La Castellana Mayor Anejo Nicor announced the suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private, and advised residents to remain cautious of pyroclastic flow and ash fall.
Based on initial reports from the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO‑NIR), a total of 44 families, composed of 147 individuals from four affected barangays, are now staying in evacuation centers.
PRO‑NIR said standby police units are deployed in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental to assist displaced families, maintain peace and order, enforce border control, and ensure the protection of evacuees, particularly against gender‑based violence during this critical time.
Local government units were also advised to maintain preparedness measures and ensure community readiness within hazard zones for possible evacuation should volcanic activity escalate. | GB
