• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The recent eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island is not yet a “worst case scenario”, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol has likened the May 13 moderate explosive eruption to its April 8 eruption, which lasted even longer at 56 minutes.
Bacolcol, in an interview with RMN DYHB, said that Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano, although he raised the possibility that there could be a stronger eruption.
Based on the reports of the Task Force Kanlaon, ashfall affected already 12 local government units (LGUs), including the cities of La Carlota, Bago and San Carlos, highly urbanized Bacolod City and municipalities of La Castellana, Hinigaran, Murcia, San Enrique, Pulupandan, Pontevedra and Binalbagan in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Sulfuric smell were also reported in some barangays of Bago City, San Carlos City, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and also in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Water rationing was also reported in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Negros Occidental advised the public to report any Kanlaon-related incidents to their LGU and continue to take precautionary measures against the harmful effects of the recent eruption.
The Office of Civil Defense also prohibits the entry to the six-kilometer extended danger zone, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., to carry out farming and other essential activities. | GB
