Residents of Toledo City expressed concern over the ashfall brought by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Although accustomed to strong winds from the southwest monsoon, this marked the first time they experienced such a significant amount of volcanic ash in the city.
Impact on Daily Life
Jeralyn Alloso Romagos, a food stall vendor, said the incident slightly affected her daily business. “We just covered our dishes because it was very dusty,” Romagos said. Meanwhile, senior citizen Cecilia Aviles Halangdon noted that the air condition was uncomfortable for breathing. Despite being advised to wear face masks, she said it is also difficult to breathe when wearing them all the time.
Official Response
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the strong winds from the southwest monsoon, strengthened by Super Typhoon Inday, carried the volcanic ash to the city. Toledo City Mayor Joie Perales confirmed that the city government has taken necessary steps to protect the public and urged residents to stay indoors. “Stay at home, keep safe because all residents are affected by this,” the mayor said during an emergency council meeting.
Air Quality Improvement
By Friday morning, July 10, the Environmental Bureau Management (EMB) reported that the air quality in Toledo City had returned to a “good PM10 level.”
