• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Ash emissions have been continually monitored at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island since April 1, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recording four more yesterday.
The latest events lasted 17 to 85 minutes and generated grayish plumes that rose to 400 meters above the crater.
In an advisory, Phivolcs said it logged 16 volcanic quakes, including five volcanic tremors.
In the past two days, a total of 11 ash eruptions were also recorded, it added.
As long as Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) remains hoisted over Kanlaon Volcano, “our evacuees will have to remain at the evacuation centers,” Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
On 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.
As Kanlaon Volcano continues its restiveness, the Negros Occidental provincial government assured displaced Negrense families of continuing assistance through its community kitchens.
Lacson said there is still a budget for food, at least for another month, utilizing a portion of the P50-million aid given by Malacañang and the remaining 2024 quick response fund.
For allocation in the near future, Lacson said they might use the 2025 budget to sustain the food requirements of Kanlaon Volcano evacuees, majority of whom are residents of La Castellana.
La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Manguilimutan has already sent a request for financial aid to the Office of the President.
Of the P50-million financial assistance received by the province from Malacañang, P14 million has been allocated for the site development of the permanent relocation sites for Kanlaon evacuees. | GB
