THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded an increase in volcanic earthquakes and sulfur dioxide emission from Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.
In a bulletin yesterday, Phivolcs said there were 55 volcanic earthquakes and 10,44 tons of gas emission on Saturday.
The volcano produced an 800-meter plume that drifted north, it also said.
The number of volcanic quakes and sulfur dioxide emission increased from last Friday’s 25 volcanic earthquakes and 10,228 tons in sulfur dioxide emission.
Phivolcs recorded 45 volcanic quakes and 8,932 tons of sulfur dioxide emission from the volcano last Thursday, and 30 volcanic quakes and 5,362 tons of sulfur dioxide emission last Wednesday.
In its bulletin yesterday, Phivolcs said the edifice of Kanlaon Volcano remains inflated.
The volcano is still under Alert Level 2. Possible hazards include sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
Phivolcs has advised against entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone and flying of aircraft close to the volcano.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said some P54.89 million worth of humanitarian aid has been distributed to over 1,000 families affected by the volcano’s unrest.
It said 17,371 families or 57,563 persons from 23 barangays in Western Visayas and Central Visayas have been affected by the volcanic activities which left 1,164 families (3,669 persons) in 12 evacuation centers and 212 families (775 persons) staying with relatives or friends.
Meanwhile, the DSWD said it also continued to provide assistance to communities affected by weather disturbances “Ferdie,” “Helen,” and “Gener” which hit the country this month.
It said P72 million worth of food and non-food relief items has been given to 507,242 families (about 1.79 million persons) in 2,306 barangays in 14 affected regions.
The agency said the three weather disturbances displaced 10,342 families (44,206 persons) in Regions II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon), IV-B (Mimaropa), V (Bicol), VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), X (Northern Mindanao), XII (Soccksargen), XIII (Caraga) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
