BACOLOD CITY – Despite no significant events following Thursday’s eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has not ruled out the possibility of another eruptive episode from Kanlaon Volcano.

Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, said in a Friday media interview, Feb. 20, that monitoring parameters are being closely evaluated to assess the current condition of the volcano’s magmatic system.

Quintia noted that present monitoring readings are not as elevated as those recorded during the 2024 eruptions.

While sulfur dioxide emissions have shown intermittent increases, they are currently averaging slightly above 2,000 tons per day.

Seismic activity has registered perceptible tremors compared to levels prior to the recent eruption.

Ground deformation data also indicate sustained but gradual inflation. According to Quintia, the swelling is not abrupt, though it continues to be closely monitored.

Kanlaon remains under Alert Level 2, signifying moderate unrest. Authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance following the recent explosive eruption.

According to Phivolcs, the Kanlaon Volcano edifice has been undergoing gradual and fluctuating inflation since 2022, attributed to magma intrusion deep beneath the volcano.

A phase of short-term swelling that started in late January 2026 occurred prior to the recent eruption.

This pattern reflects a recurring eruptive process observed since the volcano’s first moderately explosive event in June 2024, which generated comparable seismic signals and posed similar volcanic hazards.

The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has advised concerned local government units (LGUs) to stay prepared should conditions escalate.

OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno said that preemptive evacuation is on hold pending further assessment of the volcano.