“Farming families in Canlaon City are facing two disasters at the same time. Yesterday morning, Mt. Kanlaon erupted, sending an ash plume two to three kilometers into the sky. Ashfall reached as far as Cebu, while dense clouds of volcanic ash rushed down the volcano’s southeastern slopes. Heavy rains from Super Typhoon Bavi (locally known as Inday) are making the situation worse. The loosened ash and debris could mix with rainwater, raising the risk of volcanic mudflows that may sweep into nearby communities. 

CARE Philippines knows these communities. We have been working in Canlaon City since Mt. Kanlaon last erupted in December 2024, through emergency response and an ongoing development programming that supports 1,500 small-scale farmers and their families. Initial reports from our team on the ground indicate significant damage to their vegetable crops across all 12 villages, from ashfall and the typhoon, threatening the harvests their families depend on. These farmers mostly live just outside the Permanent Danger Zone1, the 4-kilometer radius around the summit crater where entry is prohibited. Yet ashfall settled on their fields, and typhoon rains flooded their farmland regardless, proving that damage from this disaster extends well beyond the official evacuation perimeter. 

From our experience responding to volcanic eruptions, we know families lose more than crops in moments like this. Livelihoods, food security, and peace of mind are all at stake, especially for women, who often carry the heaviest burden of recovery. Women often manage the income and food from these vegetable farms, so this damage means lost earnings on top of new burdens: stretching food and water for their families, caring for children and elderly relatives, and coping with the anxiety and disruption. We are coordinating with our partners- the local government unit of Canlaon City and farmer associations to support these families as they recover and to prepare for the continued threat of volcanic mudflow and flooding in the days ahead.” 

– Reiza Dejito, CARE Philippines Country Director 

Photos: Canlaon City and its agricultural fields are covered in ashfall when Mt. Kanlaon erupted on July 9. (Source:Canlaon City Local Government Unit)

Note to Editors: 

• CARE Philippines’ farmer support project in Canlaon City spans 12 villages: Masulog, Linothangan, Pula, Malaiba, Lumapao, Bayog, Ninoy Aquino, Panubigan, Mabigo, Binalbagan, Bucalan, and Budlasan. 

• Of the 1,500 project participants, 198 are indigenous farmers. 

• Through the ReLiEF (Recovering Livelihoods and Enhancing Resilience of Volcano-affected Farmers) Canlaon project, CARE provides livelihood and enterprise development, market and policy linkages, and mental health and psychosocial support, while standing ready to deliver emergency relief whenever disaster strikes. 

• These figures reflect CARE’s project participants only. They do not capture the full scope of farmers affected across Canlaon City and other cities and municipalities. 

Photo source: Canlaon City Local Government Unit

For further details and interview set-up:  

Mary Therese Norbe | Philippines | Communication Specialist

cell: +63919 911 7534 | email: MaryTherese.Norbe@care.org