• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) prohibits the entry to the extended six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Kanlaon Volcano for “unnecessary activities” even during the allowed window period from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
OCD-NIR Regional Director Donato Sermeno III said this is because of the continued ash eruption activities of Kanlaon Volcano.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are allowed to conduct only “essential activities” within the PDZ.
From March 31 to April 2, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded seven ash eruption events that lasted from three minutes to 77 minutes, which generated grayish plumes that rose to 400 meters above the crater.
Light ashfall were reported in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City and in barangays of Binubuhan, Ilijan, Ma-ao, Mailum in Bago City, where sulfur orders were also monitored by Phivolcs.
By April 9, the 7,900 families or 24,891 individuals affected by the volcanic activity will mark four months of stay inside and outside of evacuation centers.
Dr. Merijene Ortizo, head of the Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said that ashfall may have occurred inside the six-kilometer danger zone, which have already been vacated by residents.
Meanwhile, Sermeno said the OCD is studying the proposed sites of barangays Talaptap and Lalagsan in La Castellana as the permanent relocation sites for 13 families, composed of 36 individuals, from Barangay Masulog, which is located within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone. | GB
