La Castellana: The Regional Task Force (RTF) Kanlaon has indefinitely suspended entry within the six-kilometer extended danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano during certain periods of the day starting Tuesday. This decision comes as a precautionary measure to safeguard residents and workers from the heightened volcanic activity.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Office of Civil Defense-led RTF Kanlaon issued an advisory on Monday indicating that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded 67 volcanic earthquakes. The sulfur dioxide flux was measured at 755 tonnes per day, and a plume 950 meters tall was observed, continuously degassing and drifting northeast and north-northeast from 5 a.m. on Sunday to 5 a.m. on Monday.

Consequently, entry to the 6-kilometer extended danger zone, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., for activities such as farming and other essential tasks, is suspended effective June 24 until further notice. Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 since its explosive eruption last December 9. The alert level indicates that a magmatic eruption has begun and may progress to further explosive eruptions.

The eruption prompted the evacuation of residents within the extended danger zone, with La Castellana in Negros Occidental being the hardest-hit local government unit. It has the largest number of internally displaced persons from at least five barangays.

As of June 21, in both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, 6,040 individuals or 1,883 families are residing in 20 active evacuation centers. Additionally, 10,559 persons or 3,294 families are seeking shelter with relatives or friends, according to data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Phivolcs has recommended that communities within the 6-kilometer radius from the summit crater remain evacuated due to the threat of pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall, rockfall, and other related hazards.