Photos by Ronnie Nicor and Ethan Asentista-Khoo

(UPDATED) Five barangays in Canlaon City are now under forced evacuation after the Kanlaon Volcano continued to exhibit activities since its eruption last night, June 3.

Canlaon City orders evacuation after eruption of Mount Kanlaon

Affected barangays according to the local government of Canlaon are Pula, Masulog, Linothangan, Malaiba and Lumapao.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has placed Kanlaon Volcano under Alert Level 2 after Monday's explosive eruption, which lasted 6 minutes. 

"We classify it as explosive eruption. Tinitingnan pa kung phreatic or combination of magmatic phreatic but based sa activity ng bulkang Kanlaon since 1866, isang beses lamang nagkaroon ng magmatic eruption 'yung Kanlaon Volcano. That was in 1902. Lahat ng eruption ng Kanlaon is phreatic except 'yung 1902," Phivolcs chief Director Teresito Bacolcol said in a Teleradyo Serbisyo interview.

As of June 4, 2024, Phivolcs has observed ground deformation in Kanlaon, recorded 43 volcanic earthquakes, monitored 799 tons of sulfuric acid dioxide flux and a plume 5 kilometers high. 

Bacolcol said the agency is predicting 3 possible scenarios including a possible phreatic or short-lived explosive eruption in the next few days if parameters are sustained or maintained.

Courtesy: Canlaon PIO

"Kapag 'yung monitoring parameters natin, 'yung seismic, ground deformation, volcanic parameters ay lalala or mag-worsen, pwedeng magkaroon ng magmatic eruption. If this happens, then will raise the alert level 3," he said. 

He said the alert level may go down to 1 if monitoring parameters decline. 

The Phivolcs chief urged residents to wear face masks to protect themselves from sulfuric odor, which reached as far as Bacolod City.

Ashfall from the volcano was observed in Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana (Occidental) and Kanlaon City (Oriental).

CANLAON CITY RESIDENTS COMPLAIN OF SULFUR ODOR

Meanwhile, Canlaon residents forced to flee their homes are now currently at public schools turned into evacuation centers. They are also reeling from the effects of volcanic ash.

“Baho na kaayo ang asupre (The sulfur smells bad),” said one resident.

The health department of the city continues to monitor affected residents and gave out face masks.

Courtesy: Canlaon PIO

Mayor Jose Cardenas also ordered the closure of non-essential business establishments within the 4 kilometer radius of the volcano.

“It has shown signs  of increased activity, posing a potential threat to public safety,” wrote Cardenas in his executive order.

Essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, emergency response agencies and utility providers may continue with “appropriate safety measures”. All residents within the 4 km radius are also forced to evacuate.

Courtesy: Canlaon PIO

Tourism sites are also closed in Canlaon City due to the volcanic eruption. This includes their Balete Tree, Sudlon Falls, Natural Slide and many others.

For their part, the provincial government of Negros Oriental activated the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Cluster “to mitigate the unfolding emergency situation and critical simulations arising from the recorded incident.”

Other disaster offices of nearby towns and cities are also on standby.

PROTECT YOUR EYES

The Department of Health, meanwhile, issued the following health advice following the escalation of Alert Level 2 for Kanlaon Volcano due to Monday's eruption.

1) Everyone nearby or affected by Kanlaon Volcano activity should always follow the advice of their local government units. Evacuate when asked to do so.

2) Protect your lungs from ashfall and any noxious gases. Close doors and windows; use wet curtains or clothes to cover any gaps where ash and gases could enter. Wear face masks properly, or use a wet cloth to cover your nose and mouth. For those with asthma or COPD, ensure adequate supplies of your inhaler medicines and use them as directed by your doctor. Consult a doctor or health center immediately for any difficulty breathing.

3) Protect your eyes from ashes and dust. Wear safety goggles if available. Do not use contact lenses; switch to glasses for now. Do not rub your eyes; if irritated, rinse them with clean lukewarm running water. Consult a doctor or health center immediately for any persistent eye problems.

4) Keep your food safe. Wash hands properly and thoroughly before cooking and eating. Clean fruit and vegetables with running water. Check the expiration date of canned goods and stored food. Cover water containers properly to avoid contamination. Consult a doctor or health center immediately for any stomach aches or bowel movement problems.

"Since yesterday, the DOH Western Visayas Center for Health Development (CHD) has been sending facemasks, safety goggles, hygiene kits, jerry water cans, and disaster relief tents to affected areas near Kanlaon Volcano. Nearby hospitals have also been placed on Code White. Mag-ingat po tayo, at makinig sa abiso ng ating local government officials," said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

DSWD FOOD PACKS 'READY'

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said food packs are ready for distribution to families in Negros Island affected by the Kanlaon eruption.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez is also seeking to expedite the release of funds to aid residents affected by the eruption. He has allocated P4-M worth of food packs from the Speaker’s Disaster Assistance Fund to help address the immediate needs of the affected residents.

"What is the priority now, ang kinakailangan din talaga irelocate muna natin, ilikas muna natin ‘yung residents sa affected areas, kasi habang nag-aalburoto, may mga ashfall and other effects ng pag-aalburoto ng bulkan," said Romualdez.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao told ABS-CBN News that they have so far monitored more than 500 affected families in Negros Occidental and Oriental.

"Batay po sa Dromic (Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center) report ng DSWD as of 10 a.m. today, meron po tayong 451 families or mahigit 1,800 individuals na apektado sa Negros Occidental habang meron namang mahigit 80 families or nasa 390 individuals sa Negros Oriental," Dumlao said.

Dumlao said thousands of food packs have been prepositioned and thousand others are being transported to affected areas.

So far, most of the affected areas have been monitored in La Castellana town in Negros.

Secretary Rex Gatchalian flew early to Negros to oversee disaster response operations to affected families.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier raised its Alert Status to Blue following the eruption, which calls for 50 percent augmentation of personnel at the NDRRMC in Camp Aguinaldo as well as in agencies belonging to the response cluster.

“And basically po, ang mga talagang inu-augment natin dito are the uniformed services ‘no – from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from the Philippine National Police, from the Philippine Coast Guard at saka iyong Bureau of Fire Protection. Of course, nandiyan din po… ang nangunguna po kasi ng response cluster, ang vice chair po ay ang DSWD,” OCD-NDRRMC Director Edgar Posadas said.

—With reports from Jervis Manahan, Vivienne Gulla, Pia Gutierrez, and Annie Perez, ABS-CBN News