Some 4,000 people are still staying in eight evacuation centers in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental after Kanlaon Volcano erupted on June 3, based on a report from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday, June 10.

Immediately following the eruption, 21 evacuation centers were opened, but the DSWD-Disaster Response Management’s report showed that the number has since decreased to eight, with six remaining in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and two in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

The evacuation centers currently serve 1,260 families or 4,391 people.

Meanwhile, 79 families, or 361 people are seeking temporary shelter with relatives or friends.

DSWD said Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption displaced 1,339 families or 4,752 individuals.

It added that the affected families received about P8.5 million in assistance, which included P4.77 million from DSWD, P1.25 million from local government units, P2.49 million from non-government organizations, and P47,000 from other partners.

Currently, the DSWD Central Office (P1.25 billion), DSWD field offices in Regions VI and VII (P10 million), and other DSWD field offices (P55.29 million) have standby funds worth over P1.3 billion.

There are also about 120,000 food packs available at DSWD field offices in Regions VI and VII for those affected by the eruption.

The National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City also has about 177,000 family food packs on hand, as does the Visayas Disaster Response Resource Center in Mandaue City, which has 86,000.

Kanlaon update

In the past 24 hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its volcano bulletin on Monday that six volcanic earthquakes were recorded at Kanlaon Volcano, a decrease from the 19 tremors observed the previous day.

The sulfur dioxide emissions were also down, dropping from 4,397 tons on June 8 to 3,304 tons on June 9.

However, this level is still considered high, given that Kanlaon has been emitting higher concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year, with an average of 1,458 tons per day.

Since the eruption on June 3, Phivolcs said the emissions have significantly increased, reaching an average of 3,347 tons per day. 

Phivolcs said Alert Level 2 is maintained as Kanlaon Volcano is still experiencing “increased” volcanic unrest.

It reiterated the strict prohibition of entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ).

Certain areas within barangays (villages), including Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City; Sag-ang, Mansalanao, Cabagnaan, and Biaknabato in La Castellana; Minoyan, Murcia; Masolog, Pula, and Lumapao in Canlaon City; and Codcod in San Carlos City, are located within the PDZ.

Phivolcs urged local government units, disaster officials, and the public to refrain from entering the PDZ due to the heightened likelihood of similar explosive eruptions occurring, as well as the associated threat of volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents and ballistic projectiles within the PDZ.