Negros Oriental—In response to the explosive eruption of Mount Kanlaon in Barangay Masulog on Monday evening, the Canlaon City Council has officially declared a ‘state of calamity’ across the entire city.
City Councilor Angel Amador-Soliva announced the declaration in a Facebook post after it was unanimously approved by the council following a special session held on Tuesday, June 4.
The council adopted the “Resolution for the Declaration of the State of Calamity Due to Volcanic Eruption” upon the recommendation of the Canlaon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).
Local authorities said the eruption affected a significant number of individuals—23,622 in total—across several villages in Canlaon City, including Masulog, Pula, Linuthangan, Malaiba and Lumapao. They cited volcanic ash as the primary environmental and public health hazard.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said they are in need of hygiene kits for evacuees immediately. He noted that the affected residents have been temporarily sheltered in two evacuations across the five barangays
Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who is now in the city to assist in the humanitarian aid efforts, assured there are ample family food packs ready for distribution to the affected population.
Gatchalian revealed there are currently 10,000 relief packs available, which will be allocated to both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
President Marcos has instructed the DSWD to coordinate closely with local officials in Canlaon City.
“We’ve been in constant communication with the governor, congressmen, as well as mayors in both Negros Occidental and Oriental since last night,” Gatchalian emphasized.
As of this posting, Mount Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2 based on the advisory of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The agency recorded at least 43 volcanic earthquakes since the volcano’s six-minute explosive eruption, which emitted a plume of ash, rocks and gases five kilometers (three miles) into the sky.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “Kanlaon Eruption: Canlaon City placed under ‘State of Calamity’—LGU.”