• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The frequencies of ash emissions at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island in the past few days are still normal, but the public should remain vigilant, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Teresito Bacolcol said.
“Under Alert Level 2, ash emissions occurring daily or even twice a day are consistent with the current unrest of Kanlaon Volcano,” Bacolcol said.
At least 121 barangays in Negros Occidental were affected by the ashfall, following the volcano’s moderately explosive eruption on Feb. 26.
The ongoing volcanic activity also disrupted classes, affecting up to 233,428 students in 465 public schools, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Classes were suspended in 15 affected local government units (LGUs), but are expected to resume on March 2.
So far, no school is being used as an evacuation center, DepEd said.
Bacolcol said there were many instances when the volcano emitted ash more than twice in a day, such as on Jan. 12 when it registered four ash emission events, and three last Jan. 11.
While ash emissions are expected, he said these should still be closely monitored, especially if there are changes in frequency, plume height, or if these would occur alongside an increase in seismic activity.
“The public should understand that at Alert Level 2, the volcano remains active, with the possibility of sudden ash emissions or short-lived minor to moderately explosive activity similar to the Feb. 19 and Feb. 25 events,” he added.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Department of Health (DOH) have jointly distributed face masks across Negros Island to protect residents and responders from ashfall.
According to a report of OCD-Negros Island Region, 5,760 N95 masks were given to frontline responders from the LGUs of Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Ilog, Candoni, La Carlota, La Castellana, Bago, Binalbagan, Isabela, and Moises Padilla.
Previously, the OCD and its partner-agencies distributed surgical masks as a precautionary measure to several LGUs.
Recipients included Ilog, Candoni, La Castellana, La Carlota, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Hinigaran, and Kabankalan, which received a total of 350,000 surgical masks. | PNA/GB
