Negros Occidental under Blue Alert, 3 towns on Negros Island begin evacuation after Kanlaon eruption

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) of Negros Occidental has placed the province under "Blue Alert" a few hours after the eruption of Mount Kanlaon.

The announcement was made after PHIVOLCS issued an Alert Level raise from Alert Level 1 to Alert Level 2 at 8p.m. on Monday.

"This means there is current unrest driven by shallow magmatic processes that could eventually lead to further explosive eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption," PHIVOLCS said.

Meanwhile, three towns on Negros Island have begun evacuation of residents.

Canlaon City, Negros Oriental Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has ordered residents in four villages to move to evacuation centers following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon early Monday evening.

In a video posted on the SALTA Canlaon Facebook page, Cardenas ordered the residents of barangays of Masulog, Pula, Lumapao and Malaiba to go to evacuation centers and bring water, food, and utensils.

As of 10 p.m., there are 22 households or 81 individuals evacuated from Barangay Pula and transferred to Macario Espanola Memorial School.

Cardenas has ordered early Tuesday morning the mandatory evacuation of residents of residents living within the three meters from the river downstream.

"The rivers downstream from the volcano are at risk of flash floods, mudflows, and other hazards due to volcanic ash deposition and potential lahars," said Cardenas in Executive Order No. 36.

La Carlota City, Negros Occidental Mayor Rex Jalando-on said evacuation has begun and that vehicles are available for the affected residents.

"Sa mga gusto mag evacuate, palihog pakig-angot sa inyo baranggay kapitan kag opisyales kay didto kamo sugaton. Ang inyo baranggay kapitan nakahibalo sang evacuation process. (For those who want to evacuate, please coordinate with your barangay captain and other officials who will fetch you. Your barangay captain knows the evacuation process)," said Jalando-on on his social media page.

"Ang inyo suporta kag pagpangamuyo ang aton gid nga kinanlan sa subong nga tinion. Kaupod naton ang Ginoo kag ang isa kag isa sa pag-atubang sini. (We need your support and prayers at this time. God is with usAng inyong suporta at panalangin ay ating kailangan ngayong panahon. We have God and each other in facing this situation)," he added.

In La Castellana, Negros Occidental there are about 30 evacuees at the Cabacungan elementary School.

Barangay officials continued to call on other residents to follow suit.

Cardenas, meanwhile, added that the city government, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be preparing food for the evacuees.

Cardenas said that he is coordinating and doing preparations with Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria if there is a need to evacuate all residents in the above-mentioned barangays.

"For now, just stay calm, dili ta kinahanglan na mahadlok (there is no need to be afraid) and be vigilant as we leave our houses kinahanglan pud na ma-lock nato (we need to lock our houses). And, rest assured ang inyong gobiyerno under this leadership is on the assistance," he added.

Meanwhile, the mayor of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental - Renato Y. Gustilo - has ordered residents to use face masks.

"In light of the recent eruption of Canlaon Volcano and the possibility of ashfall reaching our area, we urge all residents to take precautionary measures to protect your health and well-being. As a safety protocol, it is now mandatory for all individuals to wear face masks whenever venturing outside," he said.

"The ash emitted from volcanic eruptions can pose serious health risks, particularly to the respiratory system. Inhaling volcanic ash particles can irritate the lungs, throat, and eyes, leading to respiratory issues and other health complications. By wearing face masks, you can significantly reduce your exposure to these harmful particles and safeguard your health," he added.

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island is emitting plumes that rose to 5,000 meters, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Monday.

PHIVOLCS said the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon began at 6:51 p.m. with the volcano sending a vertical plume into the atmosphere.

The eruption lasted 6 minutes and was followed by a relatively strong volcanic-tectonic earthquake.

PHIVOLCS recorded two volcanic earthquakes following the eruption. — BAP, GMA Integrated News