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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider OCD-NIR steps up preparedness over Kanlaon

OCD-NIR steps up preparedness over Kanlaon

Published Mar 18, 2026 04:30 pm
THE Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) headed by Donato Sermeno attends a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, March 16, following the third eruption of Kanlaon Volcano this year on Sunday, March 15. (OCD-NIR)
THE Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) headed by Donato Sermeno attends a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday, March 16, following the third eruption of Kanlaon Volcano this year on Sunday, March 15. (OCD-NIR)
BACOLOD CITY – The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has stepped up preparedness following renewed activity from Kanlaon Volcano.
OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno said that their preparedness plans have been coordinated with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) during a meeting on Monday, March 16.
The Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) meeting with Antonia Bornas, chief of the Phivolcs-Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), sought to strengthen coordination among member agencies and allow swift action to minimize risks to affected communities.
Phivolcs considered Kanlaon’s most recent volcanic activity alarming – three minor eruptions within less than a month and prolonged ash emissions – as indicators of heightened unrest.
Sermeno added that while current parameters could justify raising the alert level, Phivolcs is still carefully evaluating the situation, particularly considering the potential impact on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said that the recent eruption and volcanic activities are consistent under Alert Level 2.
Bacolcol stressed that local government units should be on standby and residents beyond the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) should be ready anytime in case volcanic activities escalate and the alert level will rise to Level 3.
Despite uncertainties, the OCD-NIR said they will continue to prepare for all possible scenarios.
“Kabay pa indi lang (We hope not),” Sermeno remarked, expressing hope that the situation does not worsen.
Authorities reiterated their call for LGUs and response clusters to stay vigilant and be ready amid the ongoing threat.
A March 15 eruption sparked a forest fire within the four-kilometer PDZ, likely caused by volcanic materials such as ballistic projectiles or pyroclastic density currents. The blaze affected approximately 20 hectares of forest and 45 hectares of grassland.
The fires reached Barangay Masulog in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, and Barangay Biak na Bato in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, before being declared under control the following morning.
Kanlaon Volcano first erupted on June 3, 2024, an event that displaced thousands of residents in Negros Island.

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