BACOLOD CITY – The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) urged heightened vigilance among Negrenses as Kanlaon Volcano rumbled over the weekend.
OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno said that “the threat is still there” and stressed that residents should not be complacent as Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2.
Sermeno said Kanlaon logged 41 volcanic earthquakes on Saturday and Sunday and while no damage has been reported, the situation remains concerning, and local disaster risk reduction teams are on heightened monitoring.
“As reported by Phivolcs, dumami ang earthquakes from last night, Sept. 12 until Sunday morning, Sept. 13, that means hindi pa puwedeng magrelax (we cannot relax),” Sermeno said in a phone interview on Sunday.
Sermeno said residents within the six-kilometer danger zone might be re-evacuated if alert levels rise again.
Alert Level 3 was lowered to Level 2 in July, allowing over 3,000 evacuees to return home.
Despite the downgrade, Phivolcs warned that the volcano remains in a state of increased unrest.
There is a possibility of phreatic or moderately explosive eruptions, which could produce hazards such as pyroclastic flows, ashfall, ballistic projectiles, and lahars, especially during heavy rains.
The agency reiterated that the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) should remain evacuated and residents within the six-kilometer radius should stay alert and prepared in case the situation escalates.