Local government units (LGUs) in the vicinity of Mount Kanlaon are urged to boost preemptive measures, as increased unrest at Kanlaon Volcano prevails.

Maria Antonia Bornas, chief of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of PHIVOLCS, said that LGUS should ensure preparedness in the event of an eruption. 

“Abiso sa ating kababayan at mga LGUs sa Negros, Negros provinces, na nasa  paligid po ng bulkan, na mataas na po ang tsansa na magkakaroon ng magmatic eruption,” Bornas said via a news report on a government-run channel. 

Volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes have already reached a total of 288, according to a DOST-PHIVOLCS advisory on increased seismic activity at Kanlaon Volcano at 11 a.m. on September 10, 2024. 

"Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from the summit crater of Kanlaon based on campaign Flyspec measurements on September 10, 2024, averaged 9,985 tons/day,” DOST-PHIVOLCS said. 

DOST-PHIVOLCS underscored that this is the highest emission from the volcano recorded since instrumental gas monitoring began. 

“A total of two hundred eighty-eight (288) volcano-tectonic or VT earthquakes have been recorded by the Kanlaon Volcano Network since 10:30 p.m. of 09 September 2024,” the advisory reads. 

The recent recorded events may lead to a magmatic eruption, Bornas said.

“Ngayon nga lang po tayo nagkaroon ng ganitong uri ng unrest o pagbubuga ng bulkan [Kanlaon] na maaaring mataas ang tsansa na mauwi sa isang magmatic eruption,” she emphasized.

The last magmatic eruption of Mount Kanlaon was recorded in 1902.

Bornas further reminded the LGUs to be prepared for the high risk of exposure to pyroclastic density currents. 

“Ito yung magkahalong abo, mainit na volcanic glass, maiinit na bitak ng bato, yung mga nauuka sa bunganga ng bulkan…na nakikita nating bumababa, o nag de-descend, o nag-fo-flow away from the volcano,” she said. 

“Nakikita natin na merong nag-bi-billow na clouds, napakamapanganib ng mga ito, ito’y ubod nang bilis, hindi kayang takbuhan,” Bornas added.  

The Local Government Unit of Canlaon City ordered a mandatory evacuation of residents living within the four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) on September 10, 2024, and the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private schools, until further notice.

On September 11, 2024, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas further ordered the temporary closure of tourist sites in the city until further notice.