A powerful eruption from Kanlaon Volcano that lasted for 7 minutes has prompted an urgent evacuation order for approximately 87,000 residents in nearby areas.
The Philippine government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council has activated emergency response teams to coordinate relief efforts and ensure the safety of affected communities.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the situation in La Castellana, where over 46,000 people reside within a high-risk zone. As volcanic ash plumes drift westward, residents in Barangay Sag-ang are being prioritized for evacuation.
The Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines are assisting in the evacuation process, providing transportation and security, the Office of the Civil Defense said.
Evacuation centers have been set up in schools and public buildings to accommodate the displaced population.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) continues to closely monitor the volcano’s activity and has warned of potential hazards such as pyroclastic flows and lahars. Residents are advised to heed evacuation orders and stay informed about the latest updates.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured the public on Monday (December 9) the agency has sufficient supply of family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in Regions 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), and other nearby regions that may be affected by the volcanic activity of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.
Secretary Gatchalian said the agency has more than 1.4 million boxes of FFPs prepositioned strategically in the different regions in the country.
Of this number, a total of 105,857 FFPs have been prepositioned in Western Visayas while 84,537 boxes of food packs are stockpiled in various warehouses in Central Visayas.
“We have directed our regional directors in Regions 6 and 7 to coordinate with the chief executives of concerned local government units (LGUs). Rest assured that the DSWD is ready to respond with the inflow of evacuees and all forms of assistance will reach them in the earliest time possible,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
Secretary Gatchalian said other DSWD FOs are on full alert and ready for inter-FO augmentation as the need arises.
Apart from FFPs, the agency has also prepositioned non-food items such as kitchen kit, family kit, sleeping kit, hygiene kit, and laminated sacks, among other relief items.
“In Western Visayas, we have more than Php57 million worth of non-food items and Php217,604 worth of other food items. We also have Php41 million worth of non-food items and Php1.64 million worth of other food items in Central Visayas,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
As of 4PM, the DSWD maintains a total of Php2.23 billion in FFP stockpile and standby funds ready for augmentation support to LGUs that may be affected by the Kanlaon eruption.
The DSWD chief urged nearby communities, particularly those residing within the 6km radius from Mt. Kanlaon’s summit to follow the emergency evacuation notices of their LGUs.
