55 villages hit by ashfall after Kanlaon Volcano eruption

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region reported that 55 barangays in 10 local government units on Negros Island were affected by ashfall following the moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Sunday.

The affected areas include nine villages in Binalbagan, six in La Castellana, eight in Moises Padilla, seven in Hinigaran, 11 in Isabela, five in Himamaylan City, two in Kabankalan City, four in Pontevedra, and one in Ilog, all in Negros Occidental, as well as two in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

A sulfuric smell was also reported in six villages in Moises Padilla, one each in Bago City and San Carlos City, and three in Don Salvador Benedicto.

The OCD-Negros Island Region also reported forest fires in Barangays Upper Mananawin and Masulog in Canlaon City, situated within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, and in Sitio Mananawin, Barangay Masulog, La Castellana, all of which have been declared fire out.

The Negros Occidental Operations Center said that ashfall events and the sulfuric smell were observed only in certain portions of these barangays.

Flushing of roads was conducted in the affected areas.

Kanlaon Volcano, the most active volcano in the Visayas, straddles the border of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental on Negros Island. Rising 2,435 meters above sea level, it has recorded more than 30 eruptions since 1866. The volcano’s most significant recent eruption occurred on Dec. 9, 2024, when a powerful explosive event displaced more than 80,000 residents from surrounding communities.

Seven local government units ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Monday: Canlaon City, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Binalbagan, Isabela, Hinigaran, and Himamaylan City.

Pandan Elementary School and Camingawan Elementary School in Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra also canceled their classes, according to the OCD-Negros Island Region.

The move, according to local chief executives, aims to protect the health and safety of students, teachers, and school personnel from possible ashfall and related hazards.

School administrators were advised to implement appropriate alternative learning arrangements when feasible.

The public is encouraged to remain alert and follow official advisories from local government units and concerned government agencies.

Kanlaon Volcano erupted at 6:07 p.m., generating a two-kilometer-high eruption column that drifted to the southwest.

The eruption generated a vertical ash-and-gas plume that rose to an estimated 5,000 meters, or approximately 16,404 feet, above the crater, subsequently drifting toward the southeast to northeast sector.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, this is the third eruption of the volcano this year, following similar events on Feb. 19 and 26.

Two ash emission episodes were recorded following the eruption.

Plume height during both events remained indiscernible due to limited visual observation.

Alert Level 2 is maintained over Kanlaon Volcano, and entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited.