Fearing the entire city of Canlaon in Negros Oriental will be buried under a thick carpet of pyroclastic surges and ashfall deposits, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is preparing to evacuate thousands of displaced individuals as Kanlaon Volcano again emitted ash on Wednesday morning, Jan. 8.
Kanlaon Volcano emitted ash at 1:06 a.m. and 6:25 a.m., according to an advisory from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
OCD Central Visayas (OCD-7) Director Joel Erestain said they have initiated the first steps into what they call “Plan Exodus” which involves the “evacuation of the entire city of Canlaon.”
“It is inevitable that Canlaon will be buried, and we have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario,” Erestain said.
The official disclosed that there have been discussions with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) since September of last year for the implementation of Plan Exodus.
“One of the challenges is to look for a land where we can evacuate our countrymen. But we have to be prepared, because there’s a possibility that that lot will be outside of Canlaon City,” he said.
Erestain said among the possible temporary relocation sites are vacant lots from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“What we’re looking at as our way out of Canlaon City is the road going to Vallehermoso, a nearby town. There’s a path going to La Castellana, but if you go that route, you are still inside so that’s not possible. I think there’s also a route toward San Carlos, but that’s not also applicable. Then there’s another one leading to Benedicto; we’ve practically checked everything,” Erestain explained.
He emphasized the urgency of the implementation of Plan Exodus, saying it would be ideal to prepare as soon as possible for a “potential doomsday scenario.”
‘Unsafe to return home’
As of Jan. 8, a total of 46,787 individuals or 12,226 families were affected by the unrest of Kanlaon Volcano.
Kanlaon Volcano first had an explosive eruption on Dec. 9, 2024, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise its status to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) which means magmatic eruption have begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions.
Of those affected, there were around 20,000 individuals that were displaced, including those who were being sheltered in 34 evacuation centers across Western Visayas (Region 6) and Central Visayas (Region 7).
Task Force Kanlaon Chairperson and OCD Western Visayas (OCD-6) Director Raul Fernandez cautioned evacuees that it is still unsafe to return to their homes within the six-kilometer extended danger zone of the volcano.
“As much as possible, we at the Office of Civil Defense, along with other government agencies like Phivolcs, don’t want you to be in trouble,” Fernandez stated.
He emphasized the unpredictability of volcanic activity, noting that some individuals believe they understand Kanlaon's behavior. “But then there’s always a first time,” he warned.
Fernandez referenced the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, which had been dormant for 600 years before erupting and causing widespread devastation.
“People were saying: ‘Pinatubo hasn’t erupted.’ It did, so there’s always a first time. And if that happens with Kanlaon, we might become victims,” he warned.
He reassured evacuees not to worry too much about their livelihoods as government assistance is available.
“We will help each other. That’s precisely the reason why we’re here in your municipalities and cities—to show you that we have the support of the President,” he added.
Fernandez explained that evacuees have been authorized to visit their lands and harvest produce from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
However, he said they must seek permission so authorities can monitor the number of individuals in the danger zone.
“This is for your own safety,” he reiterated, stressing the importance of knowing who might need to be evacuated if Kanlaon volcano erupts.