The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has reminded the public of the active threat of the Kanlaon Volcano as it spewed ash again.

OCD NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said that while no communities were reported to have been hit by ashfall, the public must always be on alert and prepared for any development at the volcano.

“The [latest] ashing event is a reminder na Alert Level 2 pa rin tayo. Hindi pwedeng maging kampante. Patuloy ang pagbabantay, especially sa loob ng four- to six-kilometer extended danger zone [EDZ],” Sermeno said in an interview.

Particularly for those who returned home within the EDZ, the official reiterated the importance of coordination between residents and authorities to ensure a swift and effective evacuation should the need arise.

“Patuloy na makipag-ugnayan sa mga awtoridad, just in case na kailangan ang muling paglikas since posible pa rin ang volcanic hazards, lalo na ang biglaang pagputok,” Sermeno emphasized.

After nearly four months of no ash emission since its last eruptive activity in May 2025, Kanlaon Volcano produced a weak ash emission activity on Monday, September 8, which lasted for about 55 minutes from 5:25 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.

The grayish plume rose 75 meters and drifted west-southwest.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Kanlaon Volcano remains inflated, indicative of magma accumulation.

Phivolcs-Kanlaon Volcano Observatory Science Research Assistant Ptolemy Mañego said they are closely monitoring Kanlaon’s volcanic parameters to immediately provide the public with critical advisories.

Entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft close to the volcano are still prohibited. (PIA-Negros Occidental)