MANILA, Philippines—The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has urged the local governments of Bago City and La Castellana to reassess their decision to allow over 4,000 evacuees to return home, citing heightened activity from the Kanlaon Volcano.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel F. Nepomuceno raised concerns on Friday, following reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) warning of a potential escalation of the volcano’s alert level.

“We must take anticipatory actions to prepare for the worst-case scenario of a more violent eruption. Achieving zero casualties is our utmost priority,” Nepomuceno said in a statement on Sunday.

Signs of escalation at Kanlaon Volcano

PHIVOLCS has reported significant inflation in Kanlaon’s upper edifice, based on tilt measurements from the Upper Pantao Observation Station. The southeastern flank has shown ongoing inflation since December 2024, while the western flank is experiencing deflation.

Sulfur dioxide emissions, a critical indicator of volcanic activity, have dropped sharply from 5,673 tonnes per day to 2,029 tonnes since January 9, 2025. This sudden change suggests pressurization within the volcano, heightening the risk of an eruption.

If Kanlaon’s alert level is raised to Level 4, PHIVOLCS may expand the current six-kilometer danger zone to 10 kilometers, potentially affecting more communities.

Evacuation orders in question

Local authorities had earlier allowed evacuees to return home, reasoning that areas outside the six-kilometer extended danger zone posed a lower risk. However, Nepomuceno expressed strong reservations, urging officials to reconsider.

“We are constrained to sound the alarm and urge local officials to reassess this decision. The safety of our citizens must come first,” he said.

Nepomuceno noted the extreme risks posed by pyroclastic density currents, which can move at speeds of 30 to 600 kilometers per hour. 

“No resident in the danger zone can escape this,” he warned.

Residents urged to evacuate

Even though prolonged evacuation will affect evacuees, Nepomuceno reaffirmed the OCD’s commitment to providing support. However, he emphasized the importance of evacuation and preparedness.

“Lives are far more important than properties and livelihoods,” he said. 

“I appeal to all residents, even those outside the six-kilometer extended danger zone, to take this situation seriously and evacuate immediately. We want no casualties in the event of an eruption,” he said.

Nepomuceno also warned that responders would not be able to conduct rescue operations within the danger zones during an eruption. “It is crucial for everyone’s safety to evacuate immediately,” he said.

The OCD, in coordination with PHIVOLCS, continues to monitor Kanlaon Volcano closely and provide updates to local officials and residents

Kanlaon erupted in December last year. The explosive eruption occurred at noon of December 9 at the summit vent, producing a massive plume that rose rapidly to 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest.

At least 26 areas in Negros were affected by the Kanlaon ashfall, leaving a total of 5,772 families consisting of 18,475 persons, according to the Office of Civil Defense.