Classes have been suspended in five barangays in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental until further notice.

Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, in his Executive Order No. 64, Series of 2024, signed on September 10, 2024 ordered the suspension of all classes in schools located in the following barangays: Masulog, Lumapao, Malaiba, Pula, and Linothangan. 

“By virtue of the powers vested in me by law, I hereby order the suspension of all classes in schools located within the affected barangays starting today, September 10, 2024, until further notice due to the increased volcanic-tectonic [VT] earthquakes of Mount Kanlaon,” EO 64 reads.

“Further, all school administrators are advised to ensure the safety and security of their premises and prepare for any emergency that may arise. All Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) members, the City and Barangay Officials, government employees, and other relevant agencies are instructed to be on heightened alert and ready for immediate response if necessary,” the EO further directed.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) issued an advisory on a total of 288 volcanic-tectonic earthquakes recorded since 10:30 p.m. of September 9, 2024.

DOST-PHIVOLCS released the advisory at 11 a.m. on September 10, 2024 that confirmed of the prevailing increased seismic activity at Mount Kanlaon.  

“The public is strongly advised to be ready and vigilant, and to avoid entry into the four (4) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall and others. In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Kanlaon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with a damp, clean cloth or dust mask. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash and ballistic fragments from sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft. Communities living beside river systems on the southern and western slopes, especially those that have already experienced lahars and muddy streamflows, are advised to take precautionary measures when heavy rainfall over the volcano has been forecast or has begun,” DOST-PHIVOLCS said. 

Earlier, in his EO No. 63, Cardenas ordered a mandatory evacuation of residents within the four-kilometer-radius PDZ at Kanlaon.

(Info courtesy: Salta Canlaon Official, DOST-PHIVOLCS)