Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has issued Executive Order No. 63, mandating the immediate evacuation of residents living within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mount Kanlaon, today, September 10, following an advisory from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) indicating increased seismic activity around the volcano, raising concerns about a potential eruption.
Cardenas is a statement said that affected families are being directed to evacuate to designated evacuation centers where essential supplies like food, water, and medicine are available. The LGU is prioritizing assistance for vulnerable individuals, including children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
To mitigate the potential impact of ashfall, face masks are being distributed to residents in the 4-kilometer PDZ, he added.
The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management teams are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that residents are informed about the necessary precautions, the mayor said.
In addition to the mandatory evacuation of residents within the 4-kilometer PDZ, the LGU has stockpiled essential supplies, including food packs, medicines, and face masks, Cardenas said. These supplies are ready to be distributed to affected families if necessary, he stressed.
The city government has also identified evacuation centers in Barangays Pula, Malaiba, Lumapao, and Masulog, ensuring that residents have a safe place to shelter in case of an emergency.
In a bulletin released on September 10, 2024, PHIVOLCS reported a total of 288 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes recorded within the past 24 hours. These earthquakes originated beneath the volcano’s northeastern flanks and were felt in several barangays of Canlaon City and Bago City.
Residents have also reported strong sulfur fumes and rumbling sounds in the affected areas. PHIVOLCS has emphasized that this increased seismic activity is a strong indicator of rising magma beneath the volcano, potentially leading to an eruption.
While the current alert level for Kanlaon remains at 2, indicating increasing unrest, there is a possibility of a further escalation. The public is strongly advised to avoid entering the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) to minimize risks associated with volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, and ashfall.
In the event of ashfall, residents are advised to cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask. Civil aviation authorities have also been alerted to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit due to the potential hazards posed by ash and ballistic fragments.
Communities living near river systems on the southern and western slopes of Kanlaon, particularly those with a history of lahars and muddy streamflows, are urged to take precautionary measures during periods of heavy rainfall.
