The Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island erupted for three minutes early morning on Thursday, July 9, 2026, spewing ash that blanketed areas near the volcano, most prominently in Canlaon City.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said what occurred at 7:30 a.m. was a moderately explosive eruption.

PHIVOLCS said the eruption generated a dark gray eruption plume that rose two to three kilometers above the crater.

“Poorly visible pyroclastic density currents or PDCs descended the southeastern slopes possibly within a kilometer of the summit crater as captured by the Upper Pantao Observation Station (VKUP) in Canlaon City,” PHIVOLCS said.

Josephine Andarino, a resident of La Castellana, one of the towns that surround the volcano, said they heard a loud noise when the volcano erupted. 

"Tumakbo kami. Tinitingnan namin ito. Sabi namin, aalis sana kami pero wala naman kaming mapupuntahan," she said.

"Narinig talaga namin. Ang lakas ng tunog. Hindi namin makita (ang usok) kasi makulimlim," she added.

Alert Level 2 is maintained over Kanlaon Volcano.

PHIVOLCS said entry into the four-kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone is prohibited strictly.

Coincidentally, the eruption occurred when classes in Canlaon City and the rest of Negros Oriental are suspended due to the possible effects of super typhoon #IndayPH.

ASH FALL

PHIVOLCS said the plume that rose from the crater drifted "to the general east."

This is the reason why ash fell on local government units in this path, including Canlaon City and San Carlos City. 

In San Carlos City, ash covered plants and cars. In Canlaon City, rocks were found falling with the ash on houses. 

The volcanic ash also reached Negros' neighboring island of Cebu, prompting several local government units to cancel classes on July 9. See list of LGUs: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114732/cebu-lgus-cancel-classes-on-july-9-2026-due-to-ash-from-kanlaon/story/

At the provincial capitol, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro directed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to monitor the ash fall situation closely.

Ash fall has been reported in Toledo City, the municipalities of Aloguinsan and Pinamungajan, local government units located in western Cebu that face Negros Island directly, as well as other parts of Cebu Island. 

The governor also placed the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and all Capitol-run provincial and district hospitals on heightened alert to ensure readiness for health or emergency concerns.

"The governor urged the public, especially those in ashfall-affected areas, to stay indoors as much as possible. If going outside is necessary, she appealed to the public to wear face masks or other protective coverings to minimize exposure to volcanic ash," a post of the provincial government reads. 

In the first quarter of 2026, up to 50 barangays in 10 local government units near the volcano were affected by ash fall following the volcano’s moderately explosive eruption early evening on March 15, 2026. Read story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/113334/50-brgys-in-10-lgus-affected-by-ash-fall-from-kanlaon-volcano/story/

(With reports from GMA Regional TV Ratsada Balita and Balitang Bisdak)