Evacuations ordered, classes suspended as Kanlaon volcano activity escalates

By Glazyl Y. Masculino, Rjay Castor, and Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The city government of Canlaon in Negros Oriental has ordered a mandatory evacuation of residents and suspended classes within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to heightened seismic activity at Kanlaon Volcano.

Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas issued two executive orders on Tuesday, September 10, after holding an emergency meeting with concerned agencies regarding recent volcanic earthquakes in Canlaon City.

Cardenas stressed that the mandatory evacuation is crucial to ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable areas.

Executive Order No. 63 states that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported increased seismic activity at Kanlaon, raising the risk of a potential eruption that could endanger lives and property.

Alert Level 2 is currently in effect over the volcano, and the activity may lead to pyroclastic flows, ashfall, and other hazards, posing an immediate threat to residents within the four-kilometer PDZ, the executive order added.

The local government, in coordination with Phivolcs and national agencies, is continuously monitoring the situation.

Authorities have prioritized the safety of residents within the PDZ, working with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and other local authorities. The CDRRMO is facilitating the safe transfer of residents to designated evacuation centers located outside the danger zone.

The local government assured evacuees of adequate supplies of food, water, medicine, and other necessities. Barangay officials and other agencies will provide transportation and necessary assistance during the evacuation. The Canlaon City police and other law enforcement agencies are directed to enforce the evacuation and prevent unauthorized entry into evacuated areas within the PDZ.

In Executive Order No. 64, Cardenas suspended classes within the four-kilometer PDZ starting Tuesday, September 10, until further notice, due to tectonic volcanic earthquakes caused by the increased activity at Kanlaon Volcano. The suspension affects schools in Barangays Masulog, Lumapao, Malaiba, Pula, and Linothangan. School administrators are advised to secure their premises and prepare for any emergencies.

Cardenas cited Phivolcs’ confirmation of heightened seismic activity around Mt. Kanlaon, indicating potential hazards such as volcanic tremors, landslides, and the possibility of an eruption, all of which pose serious threats to public safety, especially in areas near the volcano.

The mayor emphasized that the safety of students and school personnel is paramount amid the ongoing volcanic activity and potential for further seismic disturbances.

Kanlaon Volcano last erupted on June 3, displacing thousands of residents in Canlaon and neighboring areas in Negros Occidental.

In a separate update, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said the town’s Incident Management Team was activated Tuesday after Kanlaon exhibited unrest.
However, Mangilimutan told Daily Guardian on Tuesday afternoon that there is no need for evacuation in the upper barangays as of now.

Classes in La Castellana were suspended across all levels, both in private and public schools, due to volcanic earthquakes. A total of 288 seismic events were recorded as of 12:00 p.m.

Phivolcs also reported a continuous emission of voluminous plumes from the volcano. The 288 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes were generated at depths between 0 to 9 kilometers beneath the northeastern flanks of Kanlaon.

The strongest events were felt at Intensity II in some barangays in Canlaon City, while rumbling sounds were reported by residents in Bago City.

Strong sulfur fumes were reported in a few barangays in Bago, La Carlota, and Canlaon Cities. VT earthquakes are caused by rock fracturing due to rising magma, indicating that the magma is driving toward the surface.

Phivolcs reminded the public that Alert Level 2, which indicates increasing unrest, remains in effect over Kanlaon. This level of activity could escalate, potentially leading to an eruption and an increase in the alert status. The public is strongly advised to avoid entering the four-kilometer-radius PDZ to minimize risks from hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, and rockfalls.

In case of ashfall, communities downwind should cover their noses and mouths with damp cloths or dust masks. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit due to the risk of ash and ballistic fragments.

Residents living near river systems on the southern and western slopes, especially those who have previously experienced lahars or muddy streamflows, are advised to take precautions during heavy rainfall over the volcano.

Phivolcs is closely monitoring Kanlaon Volcano, and any new developments will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders immediately.

Kanlaon Volcano last erupted on June 3, 2024, nearly seven years after its previous eruption in December 2017, displacing thousands of people across Negros Island.

OCD NOTICE

Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas (OCD-6) director Raul Fernandez told Daily Guardian he had already issued a notice to relevant agencies to prepare for possible redeployment in Negros Occidental.

He added that they have also notified the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and affected local government units (LGUs) have been instructed to activate their incident management teams.

The OCD-6 director also urged the LGUs to strictly enforce the “no entry” policy within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone around the volcano.

He also assured that there are sufficient relief goods that are already prepositioned in LGUs that may be potentially affected by the Kanlaon’s eruption.

While an evacuation of families near or outside the 4-kilometer zone has not yet been recommended, Fernandez noted that contingency plans are in place.

“In case that we reach a 6 km danger zone, we have recently conducted a tabletop exercise to test the contingency plans of the province and even the seven affected LGUs,” he stressed.

He added that if there will be an unprecedented increase of evacuees, the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City may be designated as an additional evacuation site.

During the June 3 eruption, 33,606 individuals were displaced, with 2,680 homes in La Castellana damaged by ashfall.

The OCD-6 quickly mobilized its Rapid Deployment Team and a mobile filtration truck to provide clean drinking water, distributing over 586,000 liters in Negros Occidental.

Over P41 million worth of welfare goods distributed to affected populations and around P800,000 in fuel assistance has been provided to LGUs and response teams involved in the ongoing operations.