The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Negros Island Region (NIR) has intensified readiness measures to prepare personnel and assets for immediate deployment should the need arise.

This follows the minor explosive eruption at the summit crater of Kanlaon Volcano from 8:05 to 8:08 p.m. on October 24, generating an ash plume that rose 2,000 meters above the crater.

In a press release, the office said Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR regional director, directed all units to ensure the availability of patrol vehicles, fuel, first aid kits, masks, and other search and rescue (SAR) equipment.

Ibay said that SAR teams must be on stand-by and prepared for possible deployment to assist concerned local government units and their disaster risk reduction and management councils (DRRMCs) when necessary.

Checking of the operational readiness of vehicles, power supply and communications equipment has been ordered as well.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and working hand in hand with local DRRMCs to ensure the safety and security of our communities. Our personnel are ready to respond wherever assistance is needed,” the official assured the public.

Ibay emphasized that public safety remains the top priority, noting the regional police force is on full alert and ready to augment evacuation, traffic management, and disaster response operations, in coordination with other government agencies.

While ashfall had been reported in several villages around the Volcano, local DRRM offices reported no evacuations as per Situational Report No. 1 of the Office of Civil Defense – NIR.

Entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is still prohibited as Alert Level 2 prevails. (PIA – Negros Occidental)