Kanlaon ashfall reaches Cebu, suspends classes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Several areas in Cebu experienced ashfall after Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island moderately erupted Thursday, prompting local governments to suspend classes and heighten emergency preparedness.

Among the affected areas were Cebu City, Toledo City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Talisay City and several municipalities.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro directed provincial disaster and health officials to closely monitor conditions and prepare for possible emergencies.

Residents were urged to stay indoors when possible and wear face masks outdoors.

Classes were suspended in Talisay City, Toledo City, Cebu City, Minglanilla, Naga City, Mandaue City, Cordova, Consolacion, Pinamungajan, Aloguinsan, Asturias, Liloan, Carcar City, Balamban, Tuburan, Barili and Dumanjug due to reported ashfall.

Donato Sermeno, director of the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, said the eruption also produced ashfall in parts of Negros, including San Carlos City and Canlaon City.

In San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, residents of Barangays Quezon and Buluangan experienced light ashfall and a sulfuric odor.

Authorities advised the public to wear face masks outdoors because ashfall may cause respiratory and eye irritation.

Road-clearing operations, including water flushing, were conducted in Barangay Buluangan to remove volcanic ash.

The San Carlos City government also suspended work in local and national government offices starting at 1 p.m., except for personnel providing essential and emergency services.

Face-to-face classes at all levels were also suspended and shifted to alternative learning modes.

In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, ashfall affected several barangays, including Binalbagan, Malaiba, Mabigo, Pula, Lumapao, Bayog, Panubigan, Aquino and parts of Masulog and Linothangan.

A possible volcanic rock fragment was also reported in Barangay Masulog.

Local officials distributed face masks to residents.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a moderately explosive eruption occurred at 7:33 a.m. and lasted three minutes, based on seismic and infrasound records.

The eruption generated a dark gray plume that rose 2 to 3 kilometers above the crater before drifting east.

Alert Level 2 remains in effect over Kanlaon Volcano, which means the volcano is under a moderate level of unrest.

Entry into the 4-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone remains strictly prohibited due to the risk of sudden explosions, rockfall and other volcanic hazards.

Sermeno said the latest eruption was comparable to Kanlaon’s eruptions on March 15 and Feb. 19 and 26 this year.

Authorities are also monitoring possible debris flows in Barangay Biak na Bato in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, amid the threat of Super Typhoon Inday, which was expected to bring heavy rains to the region.

No evacuations have been reported so far.

Kanlaon’s major eruption on June 3, 2024, displaced thousands of residents across Negros Island.

Kanlaon is one of the Philippines’ active volcanoes and sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are common.