Negros Oriental has been placed under a state of calamity due to the explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano last month.

Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria signed Resolution No. 1329 on Wednesday, January 8, declaring the province under a state of calamity, highlighting the urgent need for disaster preparedness and community support in light of ongoing volcanic activity.

The Negros Oriental Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed the resolution during a special session on December 27, 2024, which underscores the urgent need for emergency response measures following significant volcanic activity that poses a serious threat to local communities.

Canlaon City and Vallehermoso town were previously declared under a state of calamity due to the eruption.

Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Memorandum Order No. 60, when two or more municipalities or cities are affected by a disaster, the provincial council may declare the entire province under a state of calamity.

Kanlaon’s eruption on December 9, 2024, produced a substantial magmatic explosion, resulting in a plume that rose approximately 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southward.

Widespread ashfall was reported in areas west of the volcano, along with the generation of pyroclastic density currents — hazardous mixtures of hot volcanic gas, ash and fragmented rock — that descended the southern and southeastern slopes of the volcano.

In response to the eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised Alert Level 3 over Kanlaon.

The permanent danger zone was expanded to a six-kilometer radius, necessitating the mandatory evacuation of residents living within the identified danger zones./WDJ