NEGROS Occidental – Mount Kanlaon, one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes, erupted moderately on the evening of October 24, prompting authorities to maintain heightened vigilance across Negros Island.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the eruption occurred at around 8:05 p.m. and lasted approximately three minutes. The volcano produced a 2,000-meter-high ash plume that drifted northeast and generated pyroclastic density currents descending the southern upper slopes within one kilometer of the summit crater. This marks the fifth eruption since June 2024.
The eruption affected at least 15 barangays across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, including Mailum, Ma-ao, Ilijan, Abuanan, Bacong, Ara-al, Cabagna-an, Codcod, Punta Taytay, Zamora, Minoyan, Linothangan, Malaiba, and Pula. Residents reported ashfall and a strong sulfuric odor in affected areas. While no evacuation has been ordered, PHIVOLCS continues to monitor the volcano under Alert Level 2 (Increased Unrest), cautioning the public to stay within safe zones and observe the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
PHIVOLCS director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol assured the public that the activity remains moderate and primarily steam-driven, with no signs of magma movement, significant ground swelling, or increased sulfur dioxide emissions.
“Be vigilant. If volcanic earthquakes increase, ash emissions persist, or sulfur dioxide rises, we will immediately raise the alert level from 2 to 3,” he said.
Bacolcol also warned that heavy rainfall could trigger lahars or mudflows, though none have been reported.
In response, the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), led by Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, has placed all units on full alert. Police personnel are coordinating with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) to ensure readiness for evacuation, traffic management, and disaster response operations. Field commanders are inspecting stations, vehicles, and emergency equipment, while search-and-rescue teams remain prepared for deployment.
Local governments have prepositioned response personnel and resources. Canlaon City’s Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, La Carlota City’s Mayor Joe Luis Jalandoni, and Bacolod City’s Mayor Greg Gasataya advised residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow verified advisories. The Department of Social Welfare and Development–Negros Island Region (DSWD–NIR) has also readied 75,000 family food packs in case of relief operations, although no displacements have been reported.
PHIVOLCS and PRO-NIR continue to monitor developments closely, urging residents to remain calm, stay indoors during ashfall, and heed only official advisories./PN
