Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island continues to show signs of heightened activity, prompting evacuations and sustained government relief efforts.
In a Sunday bulletin, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported 23 volcanic earthquakes over a span of 111 minutes on January 4, accompanied by ash emissions lasting nearly two hours.
Plumes reached heights of up to 500 meters, while the volcano produced an average of 3,469 tons of sulfur dioxide daily, Phivolcs said. Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 3, signaling intensified or magmatic unrest.
Phivolcs warned of potential explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfalls, and the possibility of lahars during heavy rains. Authorities have advised residents near the volcano to stay alert and adhere to evacuation protocols.
As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said over 5,000 individuals from affected areas are currently staying in evacuation centers. The agency has been working closely with local government units (LGUs) to provide essential relief.
“We give them (evacuees) the food boxes in lump sum. We give them food boxes that will last them for 21 days and then start replenishing them again. We’ve been doing this since day one of the eruption,” DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian also emphasized the DSWD’s readiness to augment resources if the situation worsens. He
assured the public the agency would sustain its support for displaced families as the threat of further volcanic activity looms.
