• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the Kanlaon Volcano activity continues, the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) is discouraging residents from visiting their farms inside the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.
The reminder was issued after the OCD-NIR received reports that some farmers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental were given window hours – from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – to visit and attend to their agricultural farms located within the danger zone, where access is restricted during Alert Level 2, the current status of the volcano.
OCD-NIR Director Donato Sermeno III said the entry may have been allowed while Kanlaon Volcano is in stable condition for humanitarian consideration.
Sermeno, however, said Kanlaon Volcano is now showing signs of increasing activities.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 102 volcanic quakes, including two volcanic tremors, as of midnight of April 14, which lasted up to 66 minutes.
At the same time, another ash emission took place, which generated a grayish plume that rose 600 meters above the summit crater before drifting southwest.
Sermeno called on the local disaster councils to continue their vigilance due to the volcano’s heightened activity.
Checkpoints in all exit and entry points of Kanlaon Volcano were discontinued after its status was downgraded from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 last year. | GB
