• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
After its explosive eruption on June 3, Mt. Kanlaon again erupted at about 3:03 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9.
It lasted for about three minutes and 55 seconds, sending a voluminous plume as high as 3,000 meters above its crater and drifted west-southwest, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
There was no precursory seismicity before the eruption, it added.
Phivolcs also reported that pyroclastic density descended the slope on the general southeastern edifice of the volcano.
Phivolcs deputy director Mylene Villegas said that similar shortlived eruptions may occur in the short period within the six-kilometer radius area in the summit.
The explosive eruption prompted Phivolcs to raise the Alert Level from 2 to 3, which means magmatic eruption has started, which may progress to further explosive eruptions.
Phivolcs advised affected local government units (LGUs) to evacuate the six- kilometer radius from the summit of the volcano and must prepare for additional evacuation, if needed.
Forced evacuation is ongoing in barangays of Mailum, Ilijan and Ma-ao in Bago City; Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City; and Sag-ang, Biak Na Bato, Camandag, Masulog, Mansalanao and Cabagnaan in La Castellana, Negros Occidental.
In Negros Oriental, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas ordered an evacuation of residents in barangays of Lumapao, Malaiba, Pula and Masulog in Canlaon City, where an ashfall was reported.
Ashfall was also felt in the cities of Bago and La Carlota, La Castellana, Pulupandan in Negros Occidental.
Starting Tuesday, classes are suspended in La Castellana, Isabela, Pulupandan, Binalbagan towns, and also Canlaon City.
Cardenas imposed a liquor ban and a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
At the same time, he enlisted the help of the private sector in the evacuation of people in affected areas.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson ordered residents in affected villages at the foot of volcano to follow evacuation orders, wear masks and googles and protected clothing.
He also advised them to stay indoors and avoid the hazard zones.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, who ordered the forced evacuation of La Castellana town residents within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone, also activated the municipality Emergency Operations Center, as response unit, to help the affected residents.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to extend transportation support to the personnel of Departments of Social Welfare and Development and Health, who will assist the affected populace.
Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson, accompanied the CDRRMO, in extending help to the affected residents of La Castellana.
Meanwhile, the Negros Power is also on alert status, in response to the ashfall that affected and damaged its electrical equipment, which may result to power outages. | GB
