Town in Negros Occidental under state of calamity due to Kanlaon eruption
BACOLOD CITY – The town of La Castellana in Negros Occidental was placed under a state of calamity on Tuesday night, June 4, a day after the eruption of Kanlaon volcano in the neighboring city of Canlaon in Negros Oriental.

ASH blankets plants in Sitio Trencera, Barangay Sag-Ang, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano eruption on Monday night, June 3. (Photo courtesy of Travel with Tin Facebook)
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, in a media interview, said that six barangays were affected by the eruption and hundreds are temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers.
Mangilimutan said that several families were affected by the sulfuric fumes from the eruption.
She said that this is part of their precautionary measures since the volcano is still under Alert Level 2.
Mangilimutan stressed that the situation remains unpredictable, citing previous eruptions where initial calm was followed by a more significant eruption.
The town is the most badly-hit area in the occidental side, with more than 200 families or over 800 individuals affected.
Mangilimutan issued an executive order on Tuesday suspending work in all government offices and agencies in the town, except those with functions that involve the delivery of basic health services, disaster preparedness, response, and other vital services.
She encouraged private organizations to suspend work but left the decision to their owners or authorities.
The suspension of work is to ensure the safety of employees, their families, and the public, she said.