• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Cases of acute respiratory infection and other diseases have been reported among internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in evacuation centers affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.
Department of Health provincial officer Adrian Hort Ramos said on Friday, April 11, they partly attribute it to the ashfall brought about by the explosive eruption on April 8.
However, they have not received complaints from IDPs who are not staying in evacuation centers.
Thin and heavy ashfall were reported in the cities of La Carlota and Bago as well as the towns of La Castellana, San Enrique, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra and Hinigaran.
Water rationing is ongoing in two barangays of La Carlota City while road flushing operations were also conducted by the Bureau of Fire and Protection with the assistance of other local government units.
The provincial government is also conducting a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) on the impact of the recent ashfall on the agriculture sector.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said that based on RDANA, the provincial government will make the necessary interventions.
Diaz said a priority for the government is the health of the residents, particularly water supply that is facing contamination due to the ashfall.
Meanwhile, due to the continuing restiveness of Kanlaon Volcano, 11 tourism sites in La Carlota and La Castellana have been temporarily closed, Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena said.
Tourism sites temporarily closed are the Guintubdan Pavilion, Camp Sitio Maya and the Haguimit Hilltop Resort in La Carlota City as well as the Tambayan sa Calapnagan, Acantilado, Fabricanus Village, Nature’s View Café, Domeino Suites, Highland Vista Resort, La Blanca Resort and 13th Café in La Castellana.
Mayor Rex Jalando-on said on Friday that the annual Pasalamat Festival, scheduled April 21 to 27, has been postponed to a later date as they are still confronting the problem of lack of potable water supply, affecting 3,000 households, due to the ashfall.
In an advisory on Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported to have recorded 11 volcanic quakes and emission of 1,959 tons of sulfur dioxide the day before.
Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Kanlaon Volcano. | GB
