Urgent Evacuation Ordered as Kanlaon Volcano Erupts, Mayor Appeals for Safety First

BACOLOD CITY - As the ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano escalate, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has made an urgent appeal for the remaining residents in the four to six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, to evacuate immediately. The call follows alarming signs of volcanic unrest observed before noon on Monday, December 23. In a heartfelt Facebook video shared on the Salta Canlaon Official platform, Mayor Cardenas conveyed the gravity of the situation to residents, urging them to cooperate with evacuation protocols to ensure their safety. "After we saw the ash emission, the siren was activated to inform the people of the volcano's unrest. This is a practice in the city so that people will become reactive in case of an eruption," he stressed, with dark clouds of ash ominously billowing from Kanlaon in the backdrop. The safety of citizens has become the mayor's top priority, as he reiterated the need for vigilance regarding volcanic activities. “I am again calling to those who are still staying in the four- to six-kilometer PDZ to evacuate because of the ongoing volcanic unrest,” he stated firmly. The city's evacuation efforts have been extensive, with forced evacuations already taking place in several barangays, including Kalubihan, Bulong, Bubog, and Upper Linothangan, as well as various communities in Barangays Masulog, Pula, Maliba, and Lumapao. Current statistics reveal that approximately 5,821 individuals, equating to 1,787 families, are now seeking refuge in 10 overflow evacuation centers across Canlaon City. Meanwhile, an additional 1,727 individuals from 538 families remain outside these designated centers, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the local government in managing this crisis. In light of the escalating situation, the city had previously implemented a liquor ban and placed restrictions on operating hours, measures that were lifted on December 22. However, curfews for minors and precautionary measures remain in effect as officials continue to navigate the complexities of this emergency. While government operations and classes have resumed citywide, restrictions persist in the barangays most affected by volcanic activity. Classes remain suspended in Masulog, Pula, Malaiba, and schools within the six-kilometer PDZ in Barangay Linothangan. Educational institutions being utilized as evacuation centers are adapting, employing alternative delivery modalities to accommodate students affected by the crisis. As the situation develops, the city administration is receiving assistance from various government sectors, reinforcing their commitment to safeguarding the lives of their constituents. Mayor Cardenas’s resolute call for evacuation and adherence to safety protocols underscores the pressing need for collective action in the face of nature's unpredictability. Residents are reminded that their cooperation is vital in achieving a zero mortality rate during this tense period of volcanic activity.