Air quality in Cebu, Negros still safe amid Kanlaon eruption

As Mt. Kanlaon released a powerful eruption at dawn yesterday, spewing a massive plume of ash into the sky, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Central Visayas moved quickly to assure the public that air quality in Cebu and Negros Oriental remains within safe levels.

- Jonnavie Villa, Staff Member

At exactly 5:51 a.m. yesterday, April 8, 2025, Mt. Kanlaon emitted a vast gray plume that rose approximately 4,000 meters above its summit following a 56-minute-long eruption.

The moderately explosive eruption caused ashfall in parts of Negros Occidental, including La Castellana and Pontevedra. Even prior the eruption, Alert Level 3 has been raised for Kanlaon, meaning the volcano is showing a high level of activity and could erupt again.

In response, DENR-EMB-7 closely monitored air quality in key areas across Central Visayas, including Cebu and Negros Oriental, and recorded pollutant levels still within acceptable limits set by national standards.

The bureau installed a monitoring station in Barangay Mabigo, Canlaon City, just 10 kilometers from the volcano's crater, as well as near an evacuation center at Macario Española Elementary School.

Two other monitoring stations in Toledo City and Mandaue City were also activated to evaluate whether the volcanic plume had impacted Cebu's air quality.

These stations are equipped to detect concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter, specifically PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants commonly associated with volcanic activity and known to pose respiratory risks. PM2.5 and PM10 are tiny particles floating in the air and both can be inhaled and affect health, but PM2.5 is more dangerous as it can penetrate deeper into the lungs.

As of the readings posted by DENR-EMB yesterday, all three monitoring sites reported pollutant levels within "good" or safe limits, easing public concerns amid the ongoing Alert Level 3 status.