An explosive eruption lasting nearly one hour occured Tuesday at 5:51 am in Mount Kanlaon, which is under Alert Level 3 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) since December 2024, spewing a 4,000-feet brown-colored gas plume.

Phivolcs head Teresito Bacolcol said in a radio interview winds blew towards the southwest with ashfall reaching the area of Barangay Cubay in La Carlota while sulfuric smell was also reported in the city.

The local government of San Carlos City temporarily suspended all activities within an eight kilometer radius from the summit of Kanlaon volcano.

Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government is ready to release more funds to local government units affected by the latest eruption of Mount Kanlaon.

''If necessary, we will look into this, carefully consider what the needs of the LGUs are, and immediately provide assistance,'' said Castro.

In a radio interview, Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Irene Bell Plotena said the temporary suspension includes school classes but not work in government offices.

Plotena said class suspension was also declared in Barangay Yubo, Ara-al, San Miguel and Haguimit in La Carlota, Negros Occidental while ashfall was also reported over Barangay Yubo, Ara-al as well as in Barangay Sag-ang in La Castillana of the same province.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for flights near Mt. Kanlaon, with vertical limits from the surface up to 22,000 feet.

CAAP said this will be in effect from April 8, 2025 at 8:20 am until April 9, 2025 at 5:51 am.

"Flight operators are advised to avoid flying near the volcano due to the potential hazards posed by volcanic ash," it noted. Robina Asido- Yzabela Velez-White/DMS