In response to the ashfall resulting from the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, 2024, Negros Electric and Power Corp. (Negros Power) has initiated a comprehensive cleaning operation to safeguard its power distribution network. The utility company is actively flushing water through its equipment, particularly focusing on areas in Bago City and Murcia town, to remove the volcanic ash that threatens the integrity of the electrical infrastructure.
As of the latest update on December 20, the company reported that it had successfully cleaned nearly 450 primary or feeder line pin insulators and replaced 130 others. Engr. Mervin Dalian, head of Negros Power’s Network Development and Operations Group, emphasized the importance of these efforts to prevent potential hazards such as insulator flashover, overloading due to ash accumulation, and structural damage to poles and light structures.
Dalian also highlighted the risks posed by ash-laden trees falling on power lines and ash entering critical systems like heat, ventilation, and air conditioning units in substations, which could lead to widespread power outages and reduced system performance. To mitigate these risks, Negros Power has implemented measures to protect its equipment from ash infiltration, ensuring the continued operation of essential infrastructure.
The company remains dedicated to the safety of its employees and the reliability of its power supply, with ongoing monitoring and readiness to take further action as needed. This commitment comes at a time when the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported increased ash emissions from Mt. Kanlaon, with a dark plume reaching 1.2 kilometers and drifting northwest. Phivolcs has warned of expected ashfall over communities in Negros Occidental and raised the volcano’s alert level to 3, signaling ongoing magmatic activity and the potential for more explosive eruptions.