• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three barangays in Bago City, Negros Occidental experienced ashfall after the emission of Kanlaon Volcano on June 2, with plumes reaching up to 1,200 meters high, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Donato Sermeno III, regional director of Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region, said on Tuesday (June 3) that light ashfall hit the villages of Mailum, Ilijan and Binubuhan.
The ash emission, which lasted for 29 minutes, generated grayish plumes that drifted in westerly direction.
Phivolcs also recorded 38 volcanic quakes, including a volcanic tremor.
Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest.
On May 31, the OCD lifted the prohibition on the entry into the extended danger zone (EDZ) during the window period from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing displaced residents to carry out farming and other essential activities.
Sermeno said they continue to coordinate with Phivolcs to determine if they will restore the prohibition of entry into the EDZ.
Kanlaon Volcano had an explosive eruption on June 3 last year, followed by a similar occurrence on Dec. 9.
A year after, there are still 2,248 families occupying the evacuation centers, Sermeno said. | GB
