OCD-NIR readies for possible Kanlaon escalation

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region has heightened its preparedness for a possible escalation in Kanlaon Volcano’s activity following recent minor eruptions and ash emission events.

In a media interview Tuesday, OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno said the agency relayed its preparedness plan to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology during a meeting after the volcano’s third moderately explosive eruption this year on March 15.

The meeting aimed to ensure the preparedness and coordinated response of member agencies so they can implement timely measures to mitigate potential effects on communities in the region.

Sermeno said Phivolcs considers the recent events alarming, citing three eruptions in less than a month and longer ash emission episodes.

He added that these are among the indicators of the volcano’s heightened state.

Sermeno said that, based on Phivolcs’ parameters, the volcano’s recent activity could justify raising the alert status, but he noted that the agency was still calibrating whether such a move was necessary because of its impact on internally displaced persons.

As of March 16, Phivolcs’ bulletin listed Kanlaon under Alert Level 2, or increased unrest, although bulletin listings also show a March 17 entry under Alert Level 3.

Sermeno said authorities are preparing for any eventuality because nobody can predict what will happen next.

“Kabay pa indi lang,” he added.

He reiterated his advice to concerned local government units and response clusters to get ready because of the volcano’s imminent threat.

The March 15 eruption triggered a forest fire that affected an estimated 20 hectares of forest land and 45 hectares of grassland within the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone due to ballistic projectiles or pyroclastic density currents.

The fires hit Barangay Masulog in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, where the volcano is located, and Barangay Biak-na-Bato in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and were declared out the following morning.

Ashfall also affected 11 local government units and prompted class suspensions in several localities on March 16.

Kanlaon also erupted on Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, making the March 15 event its third eruption of 2026.

The volcano first erupted on June 3, 2024, displacing thousands of residents in affected communities on Negros Island.