• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Amid the continued restiveness of Mount Kanlaon, Mayor Rex Jalando-on has banned mass gatherings at the public plaza and the oval of Doña Hortensia Salas-Benedicto National High School, in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
This was contained in an executive order issued by Jalando-on, following the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that such gatherings during the volcanic unrest, “can heighten community vulnerability and impede emergency response operations.”
Citing reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the CDRRMC said that the ash emissions and minor explosive flare-up could be signs of an impending major eruption.
Jalando-on further cancelled all activities at the city gymnasium and oval, starting April 26, in preparation for the possible evacuation of residents.
The annual Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City, from April 21 to 27, was also postponed to a later date by Jalando-on.
The CDRRMC likewise urged the public to wear facemasks when outdoors, stressing that exposure from volcanic ash can cause respiratory issues, as well as eye and skin irritations and other health risks, especially in open or poorly ventilated areas. | GB
