President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Mount Kanlaon’s activity, saying the government is closely monitoring the situation but cannot predict when the crisis will end.
Speaking to evacuees and local officials, President Marcos said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) continues to report on the volcano’s condition multiple times a day.
Scientists have warned that internal pressure remains high, which could lead to further activity.
“Our concern is that the volcano is still swollen, meaning there’s pressure inside,” Mr. Marcos said during a visit to La Carlota City, Negros Oriental.
“We don’t know when it will be released or if it will escalate into a full eruption,” he added.
Despite the uncertainty, President Marcos assured evacuees that government assistance would not stop. He noted that more than 1,700 families remain in evacuation centers nearly three months after the unrest began, with others staying with relatives.
“We know you just want to go home,” he said. “But we have to make sure it’s safe first.”
The President urged residents to remain patient and vigilant, emphasizing that national and local agencies are working together to ensure their safety.