By CESAR JOLITO III
Kanlaon Volcano had a moderately explosive eruption late yesterday afternoon, generating a dark gray ash plume that rose about 2,000 meters above the crater before drifting southwest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.
The eruption lasted approximately two minutes at 4:38 p.m., Phivolcs seismic records showed.
Pyroclastic density currents were also observed descending the southern and southwestern upper slopes within one kilometer of the summit crater, as captured by IP cameras of the Kanlaon Volcano Network.
Hours after the eruption, 26 barangays from multiple local government units in Negros Occidental reported light to moderate ashfall and sulfuric odor, based on monitoring data from the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
In La Carlota City, several barangays experienced light ashfall with sulfuric odor, including San Miguel, Ara-al, Cubay, Nagasi, and La Granja.
In Bago City, light ashfall accompanied by a sulfuric smell was reported in Barangays Ilijan and Binubuhan, while Barangay Mailum experienced sulfuric odor.
In Pontevedra, light ashfall was recorded in Barangays Zamora, Gomez, Mabini, Burgos, Blas Rizal, and Camroma. Moderate ashfall was monitored in Barangays Antipolo and Cambarus.
In Moises Padilla, sulfuric smell was reported in Barangay Odiong.
Meanwhile, in Hinigaran, light ashfall was recorded in Barangays Miranda, Gargato, 1, 2, 3, 4, Anahaw, and Carabao.
La Castellana’s Barangay Sag-ang also reported light ashfall.
In response, La Castellana Vice Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan decided to suspend classes today.
Phivolcs reiterated that Alert Level 2 remains in effect and strictly warned the public against entering the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to the possibility of sudden explosive eruptions, ashfall and pyroclastic flow.
The Office of Civil Defense in the Negros Island Region (NIR) said Kanlaon’s eruption produced shock waves felt in several municipalities, including La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, San Enrique, and Hinigaran.
Evacuate
In an interview with dzMM Teleradyo, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said local authorities have begun evacuating residents within Kanlaon’s PDZ as of press time.
Bacolcol reiterated that the public must stay away from PDZ, warning that sudden explosive eruptions may occur at any time.
“Sundin ang danger zone, four kilometers. Huwag pumasok [ang mga residente] kasi anytime pwedeng magkaroon ng ganitong explosive eruption,” he added.
Bacolcol also advised residents in ash-affected areas to take health precautions, particularly to protect their respiratory system.
“Kung may abo, kailangan nilang magsuot ng face mask kasi kapag na-inhale nila ang abo, nakaka-irritate sa kanilang respiratory system. N-95 kung maaari. Kung wala naman, surgical mask will do, o kung wala talaga, tela na binasa ang ipantakip sa bibig at ilong,” he said.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Observatory in La Carlota City, said no residents are currently staying within the PDZ, adding that preemptive evacuations outside the zone depend on local government units.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in NIR reported coordinated actions with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Health, including advisories on public health hazards related to volcanic activity.
In Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said barangays within the six-kilometer extended danger zone were placed on standby, with rescue teams and vehicles ready to respond.
Air travel was unaffected as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Silay City.
Meanwhile, local disaster management offices have mobilized emergency response teams, suspended classes, and conducted emergency meetings in affected municipalities./CJ, WDJ
Caption
Kanlaon Volcano generated a dark gray plume that rose 2,000 meters above the crater before drifting southwest following a moderately explosive eruption yesterday afternoon, February 19, 2026, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The public has been warned against entering Kanlaon’s four-kilometer danger zone due to the possibility of sudden explosive eruptions, ashfall and pyroclastic flow. (Leah Pahayahay Martinez photo)