• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Residents of local government units affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in central Negros are in dire need of potable water as rivers, streams and springs, which are among the sources of their water supply, are contaminated with lahar.
In La Castellana, Negros Occidental, Biak na Bato barangay chairman Joselito Martinez, whose village was hit by lahar flow on Wednesday, said that they need more potable water while they have enough food for the affected residents.
Water shortages were also reported in barangays of La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas confirmed that water supply in Barangay Masulog, Canlaon City is contaminated with lahar.
The city government has deployed water filtration truck to address the potable water needs of the residents.
Homer Bermudo, general manager of La Carlota Water District, said that the water supply in barangays Ara-al and San Miguel in La Carlota City has been contaminated with sulphur.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. sent two potable water stations to La Castellana to provide drinking water to the affected residents.
Water purifier stations have been set up in Barangays Mansalanao and Cabanagna-an in La Castellana on Tuesday night.
“In the spirit of bayanihan, we can’t afford to hear news about scarcity of drinking water in some areas in La Castellana,” Escalante said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday that grey cohesive mud, plant debris and gravel have been deposited by lahars in at least four waterways.
These are Tamburong Creek, which courses through Biak na bato and Calapnagan, La Castellana; Intiguiwan River in Guinpanaan and upstream Baji-Baji Falls in Cabacungan, La Castellana; Padudusan Falls, Masulog, Canlaon City; and the Binalbagan River, which drains the southern flank of Kanlaon Volcano.
State weather bureau PAGASA forecast thunderstorms on June 7 that could generate larger volume of lahars.
In an interview with RMN DYHB, Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum raised the possibility of another eruption, citing its characteristics.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect at Mt. Kanlaon.
With the declaration of state of calamity in La Castellana and Canlaon City, the Department of Energy said that a 15-day price freeze on LPG and kerosene products was ordered, which will take effect until June 18.
Raul Fernandez, regional director of Office of the Civil Defense-Western Visayas, said that they are still in the process of consolidating damage on crops and livestock. | GB
