Kanlaon under close watch after latest eruption

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — While no significant event has occurred following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it does not discount the possibility of another eruption.

Engr. Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, said Friday that monitoring parameters are being closely observed to determine the current state of the volcano’s magmatic system.

She noted that the monitoring parameters were not as elevated as they were during the 2024 eruptions.

The trend of sulfur dioxide emissions has increased at times but is averaging just over 2,000 tonnes per day, Quintia said, adding that seismic activity compared to levels before the recent eruption shows some perceptible tremors.

She also said that the trend in ground deformation is sustained, with observed inflation that is not abrupt.

The volcano remains at Alert Level 2 and is being closely monitored following the recent explosive eruption.

Light to moderate ashfall was reported in 41 barangays in six local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, according to Phivolcs.

Sulfurous fumes were also reported in barangays of La Carlota City, Bago City, and Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.

The eruption also generated a shock wave heard as a booming sound and felt beyond 30 kilometers from the crater.

Phivolcs said the eruption was preceded by a total of 10 volcanic earthquakes, including seven low-frequency events associated with volcanic gas activity, against a backdrop of relatively low seismic activity and volcanic gas emission in the past weeks.

Sulfur dioxide emission decreased to an average of 174 tonnes per day immediately prior to the eruption, while a short-term average of 752 tonnes per day was measured for the week.

In comparison, emissions have been continuously degassing at an average rate of 2,823 tonnes per day since June 3, 2024, when eruptive unrest began.

The Kanlaon edifice has been swelling or inflating at very low and fluctuating rates since 2022 due to magma intrusion at great depths beneath the volcano, with short-term inflation beginning in late January 2026 preceding the eruption based on electronic tilt and GPS data.

These parameters indicate that blockage of already established volcanic gas pathways of a deep magma source and resulting pressurization and swelling of the edifice generated the moderately explosive eruption.

This has been a repeating eruption mechanism since the volcano’s first moderately explosive activity in June 2024, producing nearly similar seismic characteristics and volcanic hazards.

Preemptive evacuation

Two LGUs in Negros Occidental preemptively evacuated a total of 59 families following Thursday’s eruption.

The evacuees included 34 families or 115 individuals from Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City, and 25 families from Barangay Ilijan, Bago City.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office of La Carlota City is managing the welfare of evacuees currently staying at La Carlota South Elementary School-1.

The La Carlota City Emergency Operation Center is on red alert status following the volcano’s current activity.

While no residents remain within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), Irene Bel Ploteña, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said affected residents were those hit by ashfall due to the proximity of their homes to the volcano, which is situated in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

She said the call for preemptive evacuation rests with local governments.

Ploteña said nine LGUs in the province were affected by ashfall from the recent eruption, with no major damage reported.

Road-clearing operations have been conducted to remove ash from affected thoroughfares.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Negros Island Region (DSWD-NIR) has prepositioned assistance for affected residents, including 223,608 family food packs, 10,549 boxes of ready-to-eat food, 16,264 non-food items, and 1,225 other relief items.

Class suspensions

Three LGUs in Negros Island ordered the suspension of classes on Friday, Feb. 20, following the eruption.

Mayor Jose Luis Jalandoni suspended classes in all public and private schools, including higher education institutions in La Carlota City, until further notice, citing health and safety concerns for students, faculty, and school personnel amid ashfall and sulfuric odors affecting several barangays.

The La Carlota City Disaster Council convened Thursday to discuss coordinated response measures to Kanlaon’s recent activity.

In La Castellana, Mayor Añejo Nicor cancelled classes in all levels upon the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and the La Castellana Incident Management Team during their emergency meeting Thursday.

The suspension of work in private offices, businesses, and non-government establishments in La Castellana is at the discretion of each company, in accordance with their internal policies.

In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas also suspended classes as a preventive measure for the well-being of students amid the current situation, encouraging residents to prepare their go bags and remain alert.

The Canlaon City local government also deployed rescue vehicles and prepared emergency response teams for possible evacuation.

In Bacolod City, Mayor Greg Gasataya assured the public that the city is closely monitoring the situation, as ashfall and other indirect effects may reach the area depending on wind conditions.

He encouraged Bacolod residents to remain vigilant, and advised those with respiratory conditions, senior citizens, pregnant women, and children to take precautions — including wearing masks and limiting outdoor exposure — should ashfall occur.

Heightened alert

Police and military units in Negros Island Region (NIR) have activated their disaster response units and are on heightened alert following the Kanlaon Volcano eruption on Thursday, Feb. 19.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-NIR has prepared contingency and response measures in close coordination with LGUs, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other partner agencies to support evacuation operations, maintain peace and order, and assist affected communities.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, directed all police chiefs and force commanders — particularly those within identified danger zones and adjacent municipalities — to implement proactive measures to ensure public safety and security.

Personnel have been deployed to conduct intensified monitoring of high-risk areas, assist in traffic management, secure evacuation centers, and ensure the readiness of mobility and communication assets.

All units have likewise been directed to submit real-time situational reports to ensure timely and coordinated response.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) has placed its Disaster Response Task Units on red alert status in preparation for possible Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations.

“Our role is not only as a defender of peace and security, but also as a reliable partner in humanitarian operations,” the 3ID said.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-NIR advised concerned LGUs to be ready should the situation escalate.

The public is strongly advised to remain vigilant, follow the directives of local authorities, and prioritize safety at all times.