• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) noted a reduction in emission of sulfur dioxide from Mt. Kanlaon in the past several days, thin layers of grey ash continued to hit several barangays of La Castellana in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Residents in those areas also reported smell of sulfur.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Mt. Kanlaon Observatory, said on Wednesday (Nov. 6) that thin layers of ashfall were observed in Sitio Upper Pantaw in barangays of Pula and Masulog in Canlaon City.
Thin layers of grey ash also affected barangays of Biak Na Bato, Cabacungan and Cabagna-an in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, according to Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head John de Asis.
Phivolcs reported on Wednesday that the volcano had 10 earthquakes and emitted 2,066 tons of sulfur dioxide on Nov. 5.
Quintia said that the gas emission was lower than in previous days, but is still high compared to the baseline data of 300 tons per day.
She warned the public that ashfall and noxious gases are harmful as these may trigger lung and heart diseases.
In affected areas, residents have been advised to stay indoors but maintain adequate ventilation or avoid going out as sulfur may cause stinging sensation to the eyes and blurring of vision that could lead to accidents.
Wearing face masks is also encouraged, and seeking consultation is advised for individuals with difficulty breathing, progressing cough, or itchy throat.
Proper use of face masks and covering the nose and mouth with a wet cloth could provide additional protection.
The Department of Health also advised persons with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to ensure adequate supplies of inhaler medicines and use them as directed by the doctor.
For eye protection, safety goggles may be worn to keep ashes and dust away from the eyes.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson urged residents living near Mt. Kanlaon not to resist calls to evacuate should the need arise.
Mt. Kanlaon, which remains under Alert Level 2 or under a state of unrest, has been intermittently spewing gray ash since Saturday. | GB
