NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — Preparations are underway in the light of a possible eruption of Kanlaon volcano in La Castellana town.
Municipal Mayor Rhumayla Mangilimutan said they have convened the town’s Incident Management Team and other task groups to address primary needs and steps to be taken as the volcano continues to show signs of unrest.
According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), at least 79 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded as of September 12 and 337 volcanic earthquakes were noted last September 11.
The volcano’s Sulfur Dioxide Flux emission reached its highest at 11,556 tons.
Municipal and barangay vehicles are now being prepared and stakeholders, with whom the town entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to utilize their trucks during emergencies, have been informed of the situation.
Mangilimutan said she had asked Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson for fuel and food assistance in case of evacuation.
She added that the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Development (DSWD) had already prepositioned food packs.
The mayor noted that the upper barangays near the volcano had felt several tremors and continuous sulfur dioxide flux emissions.
According to Mangilimutan the town’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office is conducting extensive coordination and actively monitoring the volcano.
“I call on the residents of La Castellana to pray that there will be no eruption that will happen and for the volcano to calm down. Also, cooperate and be alert for advisories coming only from the official sources such as the Phivolcs and the Local Government Unit, she stressed, adding that there is no evacuation yet among residents in the upper barangays of the volcano but, in case it happens, they will be the first to be asked to come down.
Meanwhile, Gov. Lacson said before the latest development on the volcano, La Castellana had already been asking for assistance and the province will continue to extend help to the town especially if there is forced evacuation.
He had also asked Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Alberto Nellas, now acting Provincial Administrator, to address the requests of Mayor Mangilimutan.
“ I think we should really be alarmed (on Kanlaon unrest) and continue to hope that it will simmer down. The LGU should make decision based on the information we are getting from Mt. Kanlaon. We should be vigilant,” the governor said. (Lljr/ PIA6 Negros Occidental).
