Urgent Evacuations as Kanlaon Volcano Displaces Thousands Amid Heightened Activity

Over 16,000 individuals are facing displacement as the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental experiences significant unrest, prompting urgent responses from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). As of December 16, 2024, a situational report detailed that approximately 43,970 individuals, equivalent to 10,784 families, have been affected across 26 barangays in Central and Western Visayas due to the volcanic activity. Among those displaced, 4,278 families—totaling 13,748 persons—have sought refuge in evacuation centers, while another 2,366 individuals opted to stay with relatives in safer areas. This dire situation has led the NDRRMC to highlight the urgent need for assistance, with nearly 10,000 families requiring government support in the wake of the volcano's unrest. In response to the escalating crisis, over P29 million worth of food and non-food relief items has been distributed to the affected populations. The cities of Bago and La Carlota and the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Pontevedra, and San Carlos are among the hardest hit areas in Negros Occidental, which has officially declared a state of calamity. The situation is further exacerbated in the City of Canlaon, located in Negros Oriental, where the dangers of volcanic activity loom heavily. To ensure the safety of residents, the Task Force Kanlaon has mandated a complete evacuation within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) surrounding the volcano, with a deadline set for December 16. The Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas has emphasized the critical risks posed by potential violent eruptions, urging residents who have not yet evacuated to heed the warnings and comply with the evacuation orders to mitigate risks associated with possible re-eruptions. As part of the safety protocol, border controls have been established at various entry and exit points within the danger zone. Internally displaced persons are permitted limited access in and out of the extended 6-km PDZ during designated hours from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate essential movements. Recent seismic activity recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) indicates heightened volcanic unrest, with 12 volcanic earthquakes noted in the last 24 hours. Additionally, the volcano has emitted an alarming 6,535 tonnes of sulfur dioxide and released a plume reaching heights of 75 meters, while the edifice itself remains inflated—a clear indication of ongoing volcanic activity. The situation remains critical as authorities continue to monitor the volcano closely, balancing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance with the imperative of ensuring public safety in the face of a natural disaster that threatens both life and property.