ILOILO City – Losses in the agriculture sector – particularly rice, corn, and high-value crops – due to the recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island now total P11,331,206.35 from an initial P1.5 million, data from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) showed.
These losses are mostly in La Castellana town, with its high-value crops suffering the greatest damage at P9,840,000.
Rice and corn have also been significantly affected, with losses amounting to P1,368,956.35 and P122,250 respectively.
The eruption has impacted 548.77 metric tons of agricultural products cultivated by 135 farmers, primarily due to ashfall.
So far, only La Castellana has reported damages to the RDRRMCI, with other affected local government units yet to submit their assessments.
Affected areas experiencing ashfall include La Carlota, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Carlos, Valladolid, and Bago in Negros Occidental.
Additionally, residents in Bacolod City, Pontevedra, Murcia, Valladolid, San Enrique, Bago City, Binalbagan, and La Castellana have reported falling small rocks and a strong smell of sulfur.
Lahar flows were observed in Moises Padilla, Isabela, Hinigaran, and La Carlota on June 6, 2024.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has maintained Alert Level 2 for Kanlaon, indicating ongoing unrest that could lead to further explosive eruptions.
A four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) has been enforced around the volcano, covering several barangays in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, including Ara-al, Yubo, Sag-ang, Mansalanao, Cabagnaan, Biaknabato, Minoyan, Codcod, Pula, and Lumapao.
Kanlaon, an active stratovolcano and the highest mountain on Negros island, erupted at approximately 6:51 p.m. on June 3.
The eruption produced a large incandescent plume reaching 5,000 meters above the vent, with short pyroclastic density currents traveling two to three kilometers down the southern and southeastern slopes.
The eruption lasted six minutes and was preceded by a strong volcano-tectonic earthquake.
The RDRRMC has identified urgent needs for affected residents, including face masks (N95), drinking water, jerry cans, food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, kitchen kits, medicines, generator sets, water filtration systems, water tankers or containers, modular tents, and disaster relief tents.
Some 1,650 families or 5,514 individuals were displaced, with 1,177 families or 4,131 individuals housed in six evacuation centers. The others stayed with relatives./PN
