By CESAR JOLITO III

A moderate explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday night, February 26, has displaced 23 families, or 81 individuals, in two local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported.

The eruption brought ashfall, sulfuric odors and ground vibrations, prompting temporary evacuations in several barangays.

As of 11:00 a.m. yesterday, evacuation centers were housing 23 families, or 81 individuals, while one family, or two individuals, remained outside formal shelters.

In La Carlota City, three barangays — Ara-al, Yubo and San Miguel — were affected, displacing 21 families composed of 68 individuals.

Two evacuation centers hosted 19 families, or 64 individuals, with two families, or four individuals, staying outside.

Meanwhile, in La Castellana, the barangays of Camandag and Sag-ang saw 10 families, or 41 individuals, displaced, all of whom were accommodated in two evacuation centers.

The PDRRMO and municipal disaster offices reported multiple volcanic effects on Thursday.

In Bago City, Barangay Binubuhan experienced a sulfuric odor without ashfall.

Binalbagan recorded ground vibrations in Barangay Enclaro and light to moderate ashfall in Barangays San Juan and San Jose.

In La Carlota, sulfuric smells and vibrations in Barangay Ara-al prompted evacuations, while light ashfall in Yubo’s sitios led to additional relocations.

La Castellana experienced moderate to heavy ashfall in Camandag and Sag-ang, prompting evacuations in Sag-ang.

Other LGUs, including Moises Padilla, San Carlos City, Hinigaran, Isabela, Himamaylan City, Pontevedra, Kabankalan City, Ilog, Cauayan, Candoni, and Sipalay City, reported ashfall or sulfuric odors, triggering emergency measures such as mask distribution and water provision.

Hinoba-an noted very light ashfall in three barangays, with monitoring ongoing.

As a precaution, local authorities suspended classes on February 27 in 12 LGUs.

Full suspension was implemented in Binalbagan, La Castellana, Isabela, Hinigaran, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan, Moises Padilla, Himamaylan, and Murcia’s Barangay Minoyan.

Partial suspension was implemented in Pontevedra’s Barangays Pandan and Camingawan Antipolo, as well as La Carlota’s Barangays San Miguel, Ara-al and Yubo./CJ, WDJ