NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) asked Negrenses to remain outside the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Kanlaon volcano after its explosive eruption last June 3.
Barangays within Kanlaon’s PDZ are: Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City; Sag-ang, Mansalanao, Cabagnaan and Biaknabato in La Castellana town; Minoyan in Murcia town; Masulog, Pula and Lumapao in Canlaon City; and Codcod in San Carlos City.
The agency raised the level of alert from Level 1 (abnormal) to Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest).
Chief Volcano Monitoring Eruption Prediction Division Ma. Antonia Bornas appealed to local government units, disaster officials, and the general public “to heed avoidance of the PDZ, as the chances of similar explosive eruptions occurring are significant, thus increasing the threat of volcanic hazards such as Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs) and ballistic projectiles within the PDZ.”
She also called on the civil aviation authorities to warn aircraft to avoid flying close to the Kanlaon summit.
The Negros Island’s volcano erupted last June 3 at 6:51 pm, sending a plume some 5,000-meter high, Phivolcs reported.
“The eruption lasted six minutes based on the seismic record and was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake. Reports of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odors have been reported in communities on western slopes of the volcano.” an advisory from the department said.
According to the DOST-PHIVOLCS’ volcanic activity report last June 4, sulfuric odor was noted in certain areas of Bago City and Bacolod City while ash fall was observed in certain areas in the cities of Bago, La Carlota City, and La Castellana. Rumbling sounds were also noted in La Carlota City at Brgy. Guintubdan and Canlaon City at Brgys. Masulog, Pula and Mananawin.
As of 6:00 am June 4, about 210 families consisting of 1,526 individuals are now inside the evacuation center following the explosion that affected 10 cities and 84 barangays according to the Negros Occ. Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
On June 4, records from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) of the La Carlota City government showed that 50 families were affected and displaced due to the explosion of Kanlaon Volcano
This comprises 193 affected and displaced individuals housed at the La Carlota City Evacuation Center. Five barangays were affected- Ara-al, Yubo, Haguimit, San Miguel, and La Granja.
Pontevedra Town Information Officer Edgard Gabitoya informed the Philippine Information Agency that 109 families were evacuated from Brgy. Zamora on June 4 but had already returned to their homes.
Earlier, Negros Occ. Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson told Negrenses that the government’s priority is their safety and well-being.
“PDRRMC Emergency Operations Center has now been raised to Blue Alert and response clusters, including Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Food and Non-Food, Logistics, Search, Rescue and Retrieval, Health, and Law and Order, have been activated to handle the emergency situation,” he said.
Lacson called on affected individuals to coordinate with their barangays and LGUs, and stay informed through official channels. (AAL/Lljr/PIA Negros Occidental)
