Kanlaon Volcano emitted multiple ash plumes on Sunday, December 29, with grayish plumes rising 100 to 200 meters above its summit crater during four distinct intervals, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.
The volcano released ash in distinct intervals between 5:16 am and 6:01 am, 6:20 am and 6:56 am, 8:16 am and 8:28 am, and 9:01 am and 10:25 am, sending plumes westward and affecting nearby communities.
Since Saturday, December 28, it has discharged seven ash emissions as it continues to display intensified magmatic unrest under Alert Level 3.
PHIVOLCS repeatedly warns residents of potential eruptive activity and urges those near the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to stay vigilant.
Local government units (LGUs) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) issued four Emergency Alert Warning Messages (EAWMs) on Sunday to prepare communities and keep them informed about the escalating situation.
State volcanologists recorded 16 volcanic earthquakes during a 24-hour monitoring period from Saturday to Sunday, including six volcanic tremors lasting between 49 and 84 minutes.
Authorities warned pilots to avoid flying near the summit as ash plumes continue to pose potential hazards.
As of December 26, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that 11,883 families, or a total of 45,526 individuals, fled their homes across 32 barangays in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Among them, 4,454 families (14,186 individuals) are staying in evacuation centers, while 2,185 families (6,953 individuals) sought shelter in other locations.
Community kitchens in Negros Occidental continue to prepare meals for evacuees, serving two meals daily on a P50 budget per meal to provide sustenance to everyone affected.
Meanwhile, officials in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental declared a state of calamity on Negros Island, citing the severe impact of Kanlaon Volcano’s unrest on agriculture, education, and health sectors.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.