Manila, April 9 -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday said tourism activities in areas near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental are suspended to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists.

In an advisory, the DOT said it is now closely coordinating with involved local government units (LGUs) to "prioritize" the safety and well-being of individuals affected by the April 8 explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon through monitoring and immediate response.

"All tourism activities near Mt. Kanlaon, including treks and visits to nearby destinations such as La Carlota City, Bago City, La Castellana, and other surrounding areas in Negros Occidental, have been temporarily suspended," it said.

Other areas experiencing ashfall include port...