• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has lifted anew the prohibition on the entry into the extended danger zone of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island during the window period from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting Saturday (May 31).
With this development, farmers may now enter the area to carry out farming and other essential activities.
In an advisory on June 1, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it logged 10 volcanic quakes and recorded sulfur dioxide flux of 809 tons on May 31, with plume at 750 meters tall, having weak emission.
Regional Task Force Kanlaon head Raul Fernandez reiterated his advice for local disaster councils of the affected local government units (LGUs) to strictly monitor the situation, and carry out appropriate pre-emptive measures as necessary since Alert Level 3, which is a state of intensified unrest, remains in effect.
Last week, the OCD suspended the 10-hour daily window that allows evacuees to return home and carry out farming and other livelihood activities inside the danger zone amid fears of another eruption and the threat of lahar flow.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said earlier that no one should be allowed within the six-kilometer extended danger zone as the threat of an eruption remains.
He, however, said the implementation of Phivolcs recommendations lies with the concerned LGUs and their respective disaster councils.
As of 6 a.m. on June 1, a total of 2,448 families or 7,885 displaced individuals have remained in 23 evacuation centers in La Castellana, La Carlota City, and Bago City in Negros Occidental; and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental. | GB
