ILOILO City – Should Mt. Kanlaon’s volcanic activity intensify on Negros Island, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is prepared for immediate disaster response.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported two recent ash emission events at Mt. Kanlaon, lasting between 4 and 11 minutes each.
The volcano emitted 3,579 tons of sulfur dioxide on Monday, November 11, and released a 600-meter-high plume drifting northward, with continuous degassing and intermittent ash emissions observed.
Nineteen volcanic earthquakes have been recorded, with the volcano’s structure showing signs of inflation.
As of November 9, DSWD Region 6 has stocked P115,899,634.81 worth of food and non-food supplies. In Negros Occidental, it holds 27,118 family food packs and 12,668 non-food items, including hygiene, kitchen, and sleeping kits, stored in a regional warehouse in Bacolod City and various prepositioned sites.
This inventory update follows Regional Director Arwin Razo’s directive to assess and, if necessary, replenish the supplies at prepositioned sites across Negros Occidental.
PHIVOLCS released time-lapse footage on Sunday showing 500-meter-high grayish ash plumes emitted from the summit crater of Kanlaon.
The volcano remains on Alert Level 2 due to “increased unrest” following its June 3 explosive eruption.
Entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and aircraft flights near the volcano are strictly prohibited due to the risk of sudden phreatic or magmatic eruptions.
Razo instructed DSWD-6’s Disaster Response Management Division to monitor the situation closely and coordinate with local government units (LGUs) for potential response efforts.
Provincial and Municipal Action Team Quick Response Teams in Negros Island are on standby for immediate deployment if the need arises.
Kanlaon is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. It straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Standing at approximately 2,465 meters (8,087 feet), it is the highest peak in the Visayas and a significant landmark in the region.
Kanlaon is a stratovolcano, which means it is built up of multiple layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. This type of volcano is known for explosive eruptions.
Kanlaon’s summit features a wide crater, which has hosted various eruptions and ash emissions. The summit area also has multiple vents that can release gases and ash, and the slopes contain scenic landscapes and dense forest areas, part of which is protected as a national park.
Kanlaon has a long history of eruptions, with records dating back centuries. It is known for both mild and moderate eruptions, typically characterized by ash and steam emissions. Explosive activity, like the one in June 2024, can produce large ash plumes and sulfur dioxide emissions.
The volcano poses multiple hazards, including ashfall, pyroclastic flows, volcanic gas emissions, and potential lava flows. These can affect nearby communities and agriculture and impact air quality.
Due to its activity, PHIVOLCS monitors Kanlaon continuously.
Kanlaon is part of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, a protected area known for its rich biodiversity. The mountain supports various plant and animal species, some of which are endemic to the region.
Locals consider Kanlaon sacred, and it holds significance in local folklore. It is named after “Kan Laon”, an ancient Visayan deity, and has a respected place in the culture and spiritual beliefs of surrounding communities./PN
