Air quality in NegOr, Cebu remains safe amid Mt. Kanlaon eruption

Local

THE Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas (EMB-7) confirmed that air quality in parts of Negros Oriental and Cebu remained safe following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday morning, April 8.

The volcano erupted at 5:51 a.m., releasing a thick column of ash and gas that rose about 4,000 meters into the sky. The eruption lasted nearly an hour, ending at 6:47 a.m., and caused ash fall in parts of Negros Occidental, including La Castellana and Pontevedra.

Authorities raised Alert Level 3, meaning the volcano is showing a high level of activity and could erupt again.

To check the possible effects of the eruption on air quality, the EMB - monitored sulfur dioxide (SO2) and two types of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), which are common air pollutants during volcanic eruptions and can cause respiratory problems.

The bureau placed a monitoring station in Barangay Mabigo, Canlaon City, just 10 kilometers from the volcano’s crater and close to an evacuation center at Macario Española Elementary School.

This station showed “good” air quality for all pollutants measured at 8:00 a.m., about two hours after the eruption ended.

Monitoring was also done in Toledo City and Mandaue City in Cebu Province, which are 49 and 85 kilometers away from the volcano, respectively.

Air quality in these areas also remained “good,” with no immediate risk to the public.

According to EMB 7, wind patterns observed at the monitoring stations indicate that ash and gas from the eruption were mostly blown to the southwest.

This means the areas most likely to be affected by ash fall are in western Negros, not Cebu.

The wind direction matches forecasts from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which earlier warned residents to stay indoors and wear masks when going outside.

EMB 7 said it will continue to monitor air quality in the coming days as the volcano remains active.

Local officials have also advised residents in areas affected by ash fall to clean up using damp cloths and avoid sweeping, which can stir ash back into the air and pose health risks.

Phivolcs has warned that more eruptions are possible and urged people living near the volcano to remain alert and follow evacuation orders if necessary.

Entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone around Mt. Kanlaon remains strictly prohibited due to the risk of sudden explosions and rockfalls.(MyTVCebu)