The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that they are expecting more evacuees in Negros Occidental following the effects of ashfall after the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Tuesday.

In a radio interview, OCD spokesperson Chris Noel Bendijo said they are expecting more families in the 22 evacuation centers in the Negros Island Region as they continue to monitor the effects of ashfall following the explosive eruption.

"There are 2,000 families in the 22 evacuation centers, but this could increase because the ashfall is really intense due to the Kanlaon volcano explosion, reaching 4,000 meters or four kilometers," Bendijo said.

The cities and towns of Bago, Canlaon, La Carlota, La Castellana, and San Carlos are currently being monitored by the OCD.

It said that local government units, the Red Cross, and even the local OCD units have been responding well to the needs of the evacuees, some of which have been in the evacuation centers since December 2024.

"We have been able to process 186,000 liters of water, and we have a standby of 690 sacks of rice, but when it comes to food items, it is really challenging," Bendijo added.

The OCD also has a stock of 12,000 face masks in case local government units would run out of supply.

Bendijo assured that relevant government agencies have Quick Respond Funds to utilize in case of additional expenses.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) meanwhile has issued another Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), reminding flight operators to avoid flying 11,000 feet above the volcano due to possible hazards of sudden explosive eruption and ashfall. Yzabela Velez-White/DMS