• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mount. Kanlaon spewed ash twice on Monday, Dec. 16, as high as 70 meters, resident volcanologist Mary Andylene Quintia said.
A small dark ash cloud was observed rising from the volcano’s crater, based on the report of the Canlaon City government on its social media page.
“The emergency siren has been activated, signaling the need to prepare for a possible volcanic eruption,” it added.
As of Dec. 16, a total of 1,619 families, composed of 5,229 individuals, have been accommodated across eight evacuation camps in Canlaon City.
Some 34 families, comprising 100 individuals, are staying in other shelters.
In the past 24 hours before Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 12 volcanic quakes and reported the emission of 6,535 tons of sulfur dioxide from its crater.
Alert Level 3 is still hoisted over Mt. Kanlaon, with possible hazards that can occur include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, rockfall and lahars during heavy rains, according to Phivolcs.
In compliance with the memorandum issued by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Task Force Kanlaon, Mayor Rex Jalandoon ordered the police, Philippine Army and barangay officials to clear all human activity in Sitios Bais, Batacon and Labinsawan in Barangay Yubo, as well as Sitio Guintubdan in Barangay Ara-al, all in La Carlota City.
While the forced evacuation remains in effect, Jalando-on said that internally displaced persons who are conducting essential activities within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone are allowed to enter or exit the area from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
These measures are part of the ongoing efforts to protect residents and minimize risks related to volcanic activity, he added.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said that the provincial government of Negros Occidental continues to send assistance to the affected areas.
Diaz said that on Monday, 500 containers of drinking water were sent to the evacuation centers and the incident command post, and 260 kilos of meat for use of the community kitchens. | GB
