• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island emitted almost 10,000 tonnes of volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) Sept. 10, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its notice of elevated gas flux at Kanlaon Volcano, issued at 7 o’clock last night.
The gas emission from the summit crater…“is the highest from the volcano recorded since instrumental gas monitoring began,” the advisory said, adding that Kanlaon has been degassing “increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,273 tonnes/day, prior to the June 3, 2024 eruption”.
Phivolcs said sulfuric odors were reported in barangays Ilijan in Bago City, Ara-al and San Miguel in La Carlota City, both in Negros Occidental; and in Brgys. Masulog, Linothangan, and Pula in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Canlaon Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas issued two executive orders Sept. 10, one directing the mandatory evacuation of residents within the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ), and suspending classes in schools located in barangays Masulog, Pula, Malaiba, Lumapao, and Linothangan due to increased seismic activity of Kanlaon (see related story).
Phivolcs said that prolonged exposure to volcanic SO2, especially of communities within the direct reach of accumulation from plumes during low wind conditions, can cause irritation of the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
“People who may be particularly sensitive are those with health conditions, such as asthma, lung and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children,” Phivolcs said and advised residents to avoid outdoor activities, shut doors and windows to block out volcanic gas, cover nose, ideally with an N95 facemask, drink plenty of water to reduce any throat irritation or constriction, and to seek immediate help from a doctor or the barangay health unit if serious effects are experienced.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, said it is ready to assist concerned local government units in disaster response and relief operation.
DSWD Central Visayas director Shalaine Marie Lucero said they are working closely with the LGU of Canlaon for emergency response plan.
DSWD Western Visayas director Carmelo Nochete also reported to Secretary Rex Gatchalian that the field office has a total of 32,990 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in Bacolod City, and more than 37,000 food packs prepositioned in warehouses in the different localities around Negros Occidental.
In Canlaon City, close to 7,000 boxes of FFPs have been prepositioned on top of non-food items, such as hygiene, family, kitchen and sleeping kits, as well as modular tents, Nochete said in a DSWD statement.
Some 14,000 FFPs are also stockpiled in the DSWD warehouse in Dumaguete City, while 3,400 boxes of FFPs are in the agency’s storage facility in Vallehermoso town, all in Negros Oriental.
“As much as possible, we hope that an eruption wouldn’t occur at all. Nonetheless, we are ensuring that we have abundant supplies, particularly in nearby LGUs that are most vulnerable to abrupt seismic activities,” DSWD assistant secretary for Disaster Response Management Group, Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said.
“We are taking necessary steps to open our line of communication with concerned LGUs. Our quick response teams are also ready for deployment,” she added.
Alert Level 2, or increasing unrest, prevails over Mount Kanlaon since its eruption last June. | CGC
