At least 900 residents of La Castellana town have been evacuated following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon evening on June 3, 2024.

There are 10,000 families in La Castellana living near the four-kilometer permanent danger zone that authorities continue to urge to evacuate, especially that there is a possibility, depending on the activity at the volcano, that the alert level will be raised to 3.

As of this writing, the alert level is at 2. It was raised shortly after the eruption that spewed a 5000-meter plume into the sky.

“May posibilidad ngunit nakadepende pa rin sa data na ibibigay, kasi ang alert level 3, high level na. Nakadepende pa rin sa kung gaano karami ng seismic signal, kung tataas kaya,” said Ptolemy Mañego, Science Research Assistant at Phivolcs.

Ash and sulphur have also triggered health problems among residents, both in La Castellana and neighboring La Carlota.

In Barangay Ara-al in La Carlota City, for example, ash has covered streets, houses, and plants.

The barangay is located within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.

A day after the eruption, residents there have opted to stay indoors to avoid inhaling ash and sulphur further.

Like in La Castellana, the local government unit in La Carlota has noted several residents experiencing discomfort and difficulty breathing because of the ash fall.

Among the residents is the wife of Troquero Crecensia who is undergoing dialysis.

“Masama ang pakiramdam niya sa abo. Huwag lang siyang lumabas, may silid naman sya dito,” he said.

In La Castellana, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) has recommended that a state of calamity be declared so that calamity funds can be used to help the residents affected.

The Negros Occidental Disaster Management Program Division has advised residents to try to stay indoors and to wear a mask outdoors.