• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) clarified yesterday that the light haze experienced in Cebu and other areas of the country did not originate from Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.
Engr. Mari-Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at Kanlaon Observatory in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, said that they have received reports of haze also being observed in Luzon, which is possibly caused by the typhoon entering the country.
The light haze experienced in Cebu is also not vog, or volcanic smog, Quintia said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Visayas confirmed the presence of light haze in Cebu since Nov. 13 and it may prevail until Friday (Nov. 15).
The state weather bureau explained that the haze, or the pollution suspended in the air, was caused by a thermal inversion.
Quintia noted that if there is a volcanic smog, it may cause eye, throat and nose irritation.
“We have not received such reports,” she added.
In San Carlos City, local disaster risk reduction and management officer Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr. reported that the hazy visibility is due to the vog caused by Mt. Kanlaon.
He advised residents in areas “affected by the vog to wear face mask while staying outdoors”, particularly those who have high risk to respiratory ailments like asthma and others.
Quintia said that the vog seen in San Carlos City is possible as it is near Mt. Kanlaon.
In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs reported continuing degassing with occasional ash emission of Mt. Kanlaon as high as 1,000 meters, and also recorded 13 volcanic quakes as Nov. 14. | GB
