Mount Kanlaon alert may rise to Level 4; evacuations underway

The Office of Civil Defense is preparing for a potential upgrade of Mount Kanlaon's alert status from Level 3 to Level 4, following an explosive eruption on Tuesday morning.

Currently, more than 2,000 families or over 6,000 individuals are being assisted in evacuation centers with the help of DSWD and local government units.

If the alert level is raised to Level 4, the danger zone will extend from six kilometers to ten kilometers, necessitating the relocation of an additional 90,000 people, according to Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.

The eruption on Tuesday lasted from 5:51 a.m. to 6:47 a.m., and ashfall was reported in several areas of Negros Occidental, including La Castellana, La Carlota, and Bago City.

Sugar Regulatory Administration has ordered the evacuation of its research facility in La Granja, Negros Occidental following the eruption due to heavy ashfall.