By JEN BAYLON
The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has intensified border control measures within Kanlaon Volcano’s extended danger zone (EDZ) as ash emissions continue to pose significant risks.
OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno III said residents and visitors are strongly advised to avoid entering the six-kilometer EDZ unless “absolutely necessary.”
Sermeno said security personnel have been deployed to enforce strict access protocols, allowing residents entry only between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for essential activities, such as tending crops and livestock.
These measures were implemented following the heightened volcanic activity at Kanlaon earlier this week.
Four moderate ash emissions were emitted by Kanlaon yesterday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in an advisory.
“These events lasted 17 to 85 minutes, and generated grayish plumes that rose 200 to 400 meters above the crater before drifting southwest to west-southwest,” Phivolcs added.
Ashfall and distinct sulfuric odors were experienced in local government units (LGUs) surrounding Kanlaon, such as Negros Occidental cities of La Carlota and Bago, as well as La Castellana town.
Kanlaon’s most recent eruption was on February 6, 2025, coinciding with heavy rainfall that triggered lahars in river channels such as the Buhangin and Binalbagan Rivers.
These sediment-laden flows have endangered nearby communities, prompting evacuations within the danger zone.
Since the volcano was placed under Alert Level 3 following its magmatic eruption in June 2024, Kanlaon has exhibited increased unrest, including ash plumes, sulfur dioxide emissions and volcanic earthquakes.
These signs indicate ongoing magmatic activity, with the potential for sudden explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows and lahars.
Sufficient funds
The Negros Occidental provincial government remains committed to supporting evacuees affected by Kanlaon’s ongoing eruption, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed yesterday.
Lacson assured that they have sufficient funds to provide food for internally displaced persons for next month.
However, he acknowledged that future funding challenges may arise as evacuation efforts extend into subsequent months.
To address this, the provincial government plans to tap into its current budget to sustain aid.
The current budget being utilized comes from the allocation and financial assistance provided by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during his visit to the province in February.
Lacson noted that while the province is managing its resources effectively for now, additional support from national agencies may be needed in the coming months.
The OCD earlier endorsed requests for fund augmentation from affected LGUs, including La Castellana, as well as Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City.
To provide a long-term solution for displaced families, Negros Occidental has allocated P15.3 million for permanent evacuation sites.
These evacuation facilities offer safer living conditions and help evacuees achieve stability while remaining outside the EDZ.
Currently, evacuees are receiving meals through community kitchens established in evacuation centers across La Carlota, La Castellana and Bago.
The province spends approximately P1 million daily to provide two meals for around 10,000 evacuees, with each meal costing P50 per person.
While food costs are covered, labor expenses remain a concern.
As Kanlaon persists under Alert Level 3, displaced residents will continue to rely on evacuation centers for safety and essential resources./JB, WDJ