President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured support for displaced residents, while disaster-response teams established evacuation centers.
Mount Kanlaon, one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes, erupted on Monday, sending a massive ash plume and superheated pyroclastic flows down its slopes. The eruption prompted the evacuation of over 87,000 people in Negros Island, with nearly 47,000 residents from La Castellana town within the 6-kilometer danger zone. Volcanic ash spread over a wide area, disrupting visibility and posing health risks, while flights were canceled or diverted.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to three, warning of potential further eruptions as magma activity increases. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured support for displaced residents, while disaster-response teams established evacuation centers and distributed emergency supplies like masks and food.
Authorities are closely monitoring air quality and the risk of toxic gases, preparing for additional evacuations if necessary. Schools in vulnerable areas were shut, and a nighttime curfew imposed. Experts are investigating whether the eruption was caused by rising magma or old debris near the summit crater.
Located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the Philippines faces frequent volcanic activity and natural disasters. Kanlaon’s last significant eruption in June also led to evacuations. The government remains on high alert to protect residents and manage ongoing risks.
