By CESAR JOLITO III
Fourteen barangays in eight localities across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental experienced ashfall and sulfuric odor following a short-lived, moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano — the fifth in a series of unrest since last year — on Friday night, October 24.
The eruption affected at least 11 barangays in Negros Occidental, including Mailum, Ma-ao, Ilijan, Abuanan, and Bacong in Bago City; Ara-al in La Carlota City; Cabagna-an in La Castellana; Codcod in San Carlos City; Punta Taytay in Bacolod City; Zamora in Pontevedra; and Minoyan in Murcia.
In Negros Oriental, ashfall and sulfur stench were reported in Canlaon City’s Barangays Linothangan, Malaiba and Pula.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the three-minute eruption, which occurred at around 8:05 p.m., generated a 2,000-meter-high ash plume that drifted northeast.
Pyroclastic density currents were also observed on the volcano’s southern upper slopes.
While no evacuation has been ordered, Phivolcs maintains Alert Level 2 (increased unrest) over Kanlaon, indicating the presence of moderate volcanic activity.
Meanwhile, authorities have called for calm and vigilance as Kanlaon continues to exhibit heightened volcanic activity following its moderately explosive eruption on Friday, which blanketed several barangays on Negros Island with ash and a sulfuric odor.
Phivolcs: Stay calm but alert
Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said that although Kanlaon’s activity remains moderate and mostly steam-driven, continuous monitoring is being conducted for any changes in volcanic behavior.
“Be vigilant kung magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung activity — kapag dumadami ‘yung volcanic earthquakes, tuloy-tuloy ‘yung pagbuga ng abo, o tumataas ‘yung sulfur dioxide emission, we will immediately raise it from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3,” Bacolcol said in an interview.
He emphasized that no magma movement, strong ground swelling, or sharp increase in sulfur dioxide emissions has been detected so far, but advised the public living within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone to stay alert.
Bacolcol also warned that heavy rainfall on the volcano’s slopes could trigger lahar or mudflows, although none have been reported yet.
As of press time, Phivolcs continues to monitor Kanlaon’s condition, ensuring that all relevant agencies are prepared for any escalation while urging residents not to panic and to prioritize safety.
“The most important thing is to stay calm and alert,” Bacolcol said.
“Kanlaon remains active, but as of now, the situation is under control,” he added.
Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defense in NIR chief Donato Sermeno III reported to the national headquarters that no significant increase in volcanic earthquakes or ground deformation had been detected, affirming that the volcano remains under moderate unrest.
Kanlaon, straddling the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
It last had significant eruptions on June 3 and December 9, 2024, as well as February 6 and May 13, 2025.
Authorities heighten readiness
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region directed all police units to stay on high alert and assist in possible evacuation, traffic management and disaster response operations.
Meanwhile, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas assured residents that the local government had prepositioned response personnel and resources.
La Carlota City Mayor Joe Luis Jalandoni and Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, likewise, advised residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities due to ashfall and poor air quality.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has also issued a notice to airmen to ensure the safety of flights in Kanlaon’s vicinity.
In Bago City’s Barangay Mailum, local officials said their spring water source has been affected by ash contamination, prompting a request for potable water assistance.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development has readied 75,000 family food packs for possible relief operations, according to regional director Arwin Razo, who added that no residents have been displaced so far./CJ, WDJ