Kanlaon unrest prompts warning; DSWD readies aid
Bacolcol clarified that the current activity remains moderate and primarily steam-driven, with no signs of magma rising, significant ground swelling, or a surge in sulfur dioxide emissions.
Restless giant of Negros Kanlaon Volcano exhales plumes of ash that rise 300 meters above its crater before drifting northwest, a quiet but potent reminder of the island’s living heart.
Photograph courtesy of phivolcs
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday urged residents to stay calm but alert after Mount Kanlaon erupted Friday night, as volcanic activity continues under Alert Level 2.
Phivolcs recorded three moderate phreatic (steam-driven) eruptions between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday, each lasting about two minutes and producing ash plumes up to 300 meters high.
Agency director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said the they are closely monitoring the volcano’s behavior.
“Be vigilant. If the activity continues, if volcanic earthquakes increase, if the ash emissions persist, or if sulfur dioxide levels rise, we will immediately raise it from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3,” Bacolcol said in a radio interview.
He clarified that the current activity remains moderate and primarily steam-driven, with no signs of magma rising, significant ground swelling, or a surge in sulfur dioxide emissions.
“The data shows that the activity remains moderate and mostly steam-driven. There are still no signs of magma rising, no significant ground swelling, and no surge in sulfur dioxide emissions,” he said.
Bacolcol also noted that other active volcanoes — Taal, Mayon and Bulusan — remain under Alert Level 1, showing little to no major movement.
He warned that heavy rainfall on Kanlaon’s slopes could trigger lahar or mudflows but said no such incidents have been reported.
“The most important thing is to stay calm and alert. Please keep away from the permanent danger zones,” he said, adding that residents should stay indoors during ashfall, close windows, and wear masks or damp cloths to avoid inhaling ash.
Mount Kanlaon, which straddles Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is among the country’s most active volcanoes. Its last major eruption was in June 2024.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has 75,000 family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in the Negros Island Region (NIR) for possible relief operations.
“We have more than 75,000 family food packs prepositioned in the Negros Island Region. Our field office has coordinated with local government units (LGUs) in case DSWD assistance is needed. We have also assessed the situation,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group said Saturday.
In a report to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, NIR Regional Director Arwin Razo said there were no internally displaced persons in affected localities, including La Castellana, Canlaon City, Murcia, La Carlota City, and Bago City.
DSWD teams continue to coordinate with LGUs for possible resource augmentation, while logistics such as a mobile kitchen, command center, and water filtration truck remain on standby.