• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has detected eight more volcanic earthquakes at Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island, covering the period from 12 a.m. Saturday, to 12 a.m. Sunday.
The volcano also emitted 1,611 tons of sulfur dioxide, it said in a weekend bulletin.
Mt. Kanlaon continues to release gas and occasionally emits ash, with moderate plumes, reaching up to 100 meters, according to Phivolcs.
Alert Level 3 remains in effect at the volcano, which is under close monitoring due to the possibility of sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, rockfall and lahars during heavy rains.
As of Feb. 7, the Department of Health in Negros Island Region reported that the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon has affected 2,810 families, composed of 8, 959 individuals, currently housed in 21 evacuation centers in both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
A total of 14 evacuation centers are located in Negros Occidental alone. | GB
