Ashes nearly covered roads, house roofs, and vegetation at areas in Negros Occidental, following the moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on February 19, 2026.  

According to the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), 41 barangays are affected by the eruption, most of which experienced ashfall.

The eruption past 4 p.m. on February 19 lasted about two minutes and generated a dark gray ash plume rising roughly 2,000 meters above the crater before drifting southwest.

“Nagsimula naman mula pa kahapon ang clearing operation. So far, ngayon at medyo malinis na ang areas na tinamaan. Dapat maghanda talaga ng face mask on hand,” said Bryll Larry Sañor, deputy chief of Negros Occidental PDRRMO.

At least 60 families have evacuated, 34 of which are from La Carlota City.

“Biglang bumaba kami dito. Noong December 9 [2024] parang bomba iyon. Magra-rattle ka talaga,” Lorena Gamao, an evacuee, said.

There were residents who did not evacuate but had to deal with the ashfall.

"Ang hirap kasi parang semento siya na dumikit sa bubong at mayroon rin sa kalsada,” Laura Domingo, a resident, said.

“Kung hindi mo lilinisin, mabubutas ang bubong kasi ang kapal. Nagulat nga kami kasi may mga buhangin,” said Rio Langote, a resident.

Other residents complained of chest tightness due to noxious sulfur fumes.

“Masama talaga ang pakiramdam. Kaya nga hindi na ako lumalabas sa kalsada,” Helen Laguyo, a resident, said.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), there is no indication yet to raise the alert level.

Alert Level 2 (intensified unrest) prevails over Kanlaon Volcano.

“Base sa ating monitoring parameters, walang nakitang pag- increase sa activity, including mga seismic data. Ang sulfur dioxide, mababa pa rin. Walang sudden increase,” according to Perly Sianson, Science and Research specialist at Kanlaon Volcano Observatory.