THE Environmental Management Bureau – Davao Region (EMB-Davao) assured the public that despite the eruption of Mount Kanlaon, there is a low chance of ashfall reaching the Davao Region, which is located southeast of the volcano.
“Based on the simulation of ashfall conducted by Department of Science and Technology Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST PHIVOLCS) posted on their official social media page, the direction of the ashfall going westward of the Volcano, implies a low chance of the flume residue from the eruption to reach the Davao Region which is located southeast of the Mt. Kanlaon,” EMB-Davao stated in a Facebook post.
As of 9 a.m. on April 8, 2025, EMB-Davao confirmed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region remains at a good level.
The agency continues to monitor air quality through stations located at Davao International Airport, Calinan National High School, and Tagum National Trade School.
Mt. Kanlaon erupted on April 8 at approximately 5:51 a.m., with the eruption ending at 6:47 a.m. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the eruption produced a 4,000-meter-high ash plume, which drifted southwest.
Phivolcs warned nearby communities that while the recent eruption did not include lava, it may be followed by similar short-lived explosive events or escalate into lava flows and fountaining.
The volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating heightened unrest due to shallow magmatic activity.
Several areas were affected by ashfall, including Barangay Sag-Ang in La Castellana, and Barangays Yubo and Ara-al in La Carlota, as well as parts of Bago City.
According to the latest data, around 6,665 families or 21,444 individuals are currently staying in 26 evacuation centers across Canlaon City, La Castellana, La Carlota, Bago City, Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, Murcia, and San Carlos City. (RGP with reports from SunStar Philippines)