MANILA — The Philippines' chief volcanologist on Tuesday warned that Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island could erupt again following its recent explosive outburst.

On Monday afternoon, Kanlaon Volcano spewed dark gray ash columns approximately 4 kilometers high, blanketing nearby towns with toxic ash, causing flight cancellations, and prompting the evacuation of more than 80,000 villagers.

The hazardous activity of Kanlaon led the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise the volcano's alert level from 2 to 3 on a zero-to-five scale.

Alert level 3 for Kanlaon means "hazardous eruption is possible in the coming weeks," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told ANC.

"Do not underestimate the dangers of potential eruption, always prioritize your safety and health," he said.

He added that more people would be evacuated if the alert level for the volcano were raised to 4 due to more rumblings, as Phivolcs could extend the danger zone up to 10 kilometers from Kanlaon.

Bacolcol said Monday's Kanlaon eruption was "much bigger" than its June 3 eruption, adding that the bent plumes caused ash dispersion to be "widespread."

Aside from several towns in Negros Occidental — which could soon declare a state of calamity due to the eruption — ash falls reached as far as Antique, Iloilo, and Guimaras, he said.

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Joel Erestain, director of the Office of Civil Defense Region 7, said in a separate ANC interview that they were also preparing for possible lahar or mudflows, as isolated thunderstorms were forecast to hit Negros Island.

He also said people up to 10 kilometers away from Kanlaon felt Monday's eruption "as if there was an explosion."

EVACUATION 

The urgent evacuation of approximately 54,000 residents within Mt. Kanlaon’s 6-kilometer radius danger zone was underway on Tuesday, according to Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

The most critical areas include La Castellana town in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.

“Alert level 3 is raised. That means to say there is a danger zone of 6-kilometer radius,” Teodoro told reporters in a chance interview at the Office of Civil Defense in Quezon City.

Teodoro said alert level 3 would be maintained for at least three weeks.

“Itong alert level 3 ay minimum imi-maintain natin, according to [Phivolcs], tatlong linggo, ngunit may posibilidad na magpalit ito depende sa aksyon ng bulkan. ‘Yan ang pinaghahandaan namin—either better or worse,” he said.

“Pag worse, iincrease-in ito [danger zone radius] ng 10 kilometers,” he added.

Teodoro appealed to residents in affected areas to adhere to official directives, including evacuation orders and health precautions against volcanic ash.

“Ang issues na hinaharap namin ngayon, naghe-hesitate na lumikas ang mga tao. Hindi sila sanay sa ganitong mga pangyayari at hesitant sila na iwan ang mga ari-arian,” Teodoro said.

“Nakikiusap nga kami sa LGUs na sila na ang mag-marshal sa mga tao na huwag nang bumalik sa 6-km radius na area. Nakikiusap kami sa mga tao na cooperation na lang,” he continued.

The OCD has activated Task Force Kanlaon, chaired by Regional Director Raul Fernandez, to oversee operations across Region 6 (Western Visayas) and Region 7 (Central Visayas).

“Kinonstitute natin ang Task Force Kanlaon dahil ito’y kakaiba. Bagama’t may Negros Island Region na, hindi pa ito operational in terms of OCD. So ito ay nagsa-straddle between Region 6 and Region 7,” Teodoro said.

“Gumawa na tayo ng task force para isahan na lang ang hahawak ng response sa buong region. Yan ay under kay OCD Region 6 Director Raul Fernandez. Siya ay magkoconstitute ng IACC para face-to-face ang coordination ng agencies. Ito ay itatalaga sa Bacolod City para may airport at pier tayo,” he said.

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