Mt. Kanlaon, located on the island of Negros, erupted early Tuesday morning, sending an ash plume soaring 4,000 meters into the sky and triggering pyroclastic density currents moving southward toward Negros Occidental.
According to Director Teresito Bacolcol, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the eruption began at 5:51 a.m. and was still ongoing at the time of reporting.
He noted that the eruption was similar in magnitude to the December 9 incident, both producing comparable ash plume heights.
“We are maintaining Alert Level 3. The volcano is not emitting lava, but rather ash, steam, and pyroclastic density currents—a mix of ash, rocks, and gases flowing down the slopes,” Bacolcol explained during a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.
The eruption, he said, may have been caused by a blockage in the volcano’s conduits, leading to a buildup of pressure.
PHIVOLCS warns that Alert Level 4 may be raised if volcanic activity intensifies.
In La Carlota City, Mayor Rex Jalando-on reported ash fall in the upland barangays of Ara-al, Yubo, San Miguel, and Haguimit, prompting the suspension of classes. Residents have been advised to wear masks to guard against respiratory issues.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan also confirmed ash fall in the villages of Mansalanao and Sag-Ang. She said volcanic emissions, including thick dark smoke, are being blown southwestward, severely reducing visibility in areas near La Carlota.
“Thick black smoke continues to billow from the crater, with some also coming from the sides. It’s extremely dark on the road heading to La Carlota,” she said in a separate interview.
Classes in La Castellana have been suspended, and the local emergency management team remains on high alert. Around 1,300 residents have taken shelter in evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) warning aircraft to avoid the area around Mt. Kanlaon due to volcanic ash hazards. The NOTAM, effective from April 8, 2025 at 8:20 a.m. to April 9, 2025 at 5:51 a.m., imposes a vertical flight restriction up to 22,000 feet.
In Malacañang, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro assured the public that the national government is prepared to support affected local government units (LGUs).
“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is actively coordinating with local officials to deliver aid to impacted communities, as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” she said during a press briefing.
She emphasized that the administration is closely monitoring the situation and will mobilize necessary resources to assist LGUs.
“If needed, the government will immediately provide the required support,” Castro added.