Canlaon City evacuates 20K residents after Mt. Kanlaon eruption

The local government of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental ordered the evacuation of residents from five barangays after Mt. Kanlaon's explosive eruption on Monday evening, affecting over 20,300 people or about 40 percent of the city’s population.

Over 10,000 families residing within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) were evacuated, including more than 800 residents from La Castellana in Negros Occidental and evacuees from other nearby towns and cities; currently, there are 426 families or 1,414 individuals in eleven evacuation centers.

Both Canlaon City and La Castellana have been placed under a state of calamity due to the eruption; Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian has provided family packs containing necessities for evacuees, with financial assistance expected soon.

Flights to and from Bacolod Silay Airport were canceled due to ashfall risks, while PHIVOLCS raised the possibility of increasing the alert level based on seismic data.

Mayor Jose Cardenas announced a suspension of work in government and private offices as a precautionary measure following the eruption but has now lifted it; however, tourist activities remain suspended within a four-kilometer radius of Kanlaon Volcano until further notice.