The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) ordered the evacuation of residents in Regions VI and VII following the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano earlier today, December 9.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro directed the evacuation of around 12,000 families in Western and Central Visayas following the explosive eruption.

Furthermore, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sought assistance from the Philippine Navy to deploy its floating assets for response operations, especially as air travel has become challenging due to the eruption.

The OCD and Philippine Red Cross are preparing to distribute N95 masks to affected areas following the volcanic eruption.