THE recent “explosive eruption” of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island has displaced nearly 40,000 persons as of yesterday, and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it is preparing in the event the situation worsens.
Kanlaon is under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest). The next alert, Level 4, means hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Tuesday warned of a hazardous eruption.
Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, OCD deputy administrator, said the number of displaced individuals so far is equivalent to 46 percent of at least 84,500 targeted for evacuation while Kanlaon is under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Alert Level 3, from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest), last Monday after the volcano went on an “explosive eruption.”
The declaration prompted the evacuation of communities inside the extended eight-kilometer danger zone. Alejandro said the evacuation was ongoing yesterday afternoon.
“The population we are targeting to evacuate, as per DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) data is 84,549 persons or close to 17,000 families. That is the target,” said Alejandro during a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“As we speak, we have already evacuated 46 percent of that, or 39,258 persons or 9,942,” he added.
Of the number, some 12,000 individuals are housed in 29 evacuation centers, he said. The rest, he added, are living with the relatives or friends.
Alejandro said the OCD is planning for a worse-case scenario, which is declaration of Alert Level 4 which will warrant the extension of the danger zone up to 10 kilometer radius.
“If it will be extended to 8 kilometers, it will reach 116,000 individuals. Now, if it the danger zone is further extended to 10 kilometers, it will reach nearly 139,000 individuals,” he said.
Alejandro said urged those who are still in the danger zone to go to safer grounds to avoid loss of lives, noting that some refuse to leave their belongings.
“We are not trying to scare you but this is the reality. We are up against a volcano … All we need to do is to keep our distance (from the volcano), we have to move away from danger,” he said.
Alejandro also said rescuers may not be able to come to the aid of people inside the danger zone during hazardous eruptions.
“Our goal is zero casualty … We don’t want our (soldiers and policemen) doing rescue operations while it is erupting … Nobody will enter the danger zone will its erupting,” he added.
At the “Bagong Pilipinas” public briefing, Alejandro said there is “high probability” that Kanlaon Volcano will have a “violent eruption,” which may prompt declaration of Alert Level 4.
“We are prepared for that,” said Alejandro, adding that local government units were told to also prepare for such a scenario.
He said the national government is also preparing the transport of resources to the ground in case the situation worsens, and for lahar flows which he said can be triggered by rains.
Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said they have noted an increase in volcanic quakes and sulfur dioxide emission from Kanlaon — 31 quakes on Monday, from 20 the previous day, and 4,121 tons of sulfur dioxide emission from 1,669 tons.
The Department of Tourism announced the suspension of tourist activities and the closure of some attractions in areas affected by the eruption.
The DOT in an advisory said regional offices have received reports of tourism stakeholders affected in areas experiencing heavy ashfall.
These include municipalities and cities in Negros Occidental, such as La Castellana, La Carlota City, Bago City, and Murcia. In Negros Oriental, the affected area includes Canlaon City.
The DOT said as a precautionary measure, the following tourist activities in the affected areas have been suspended: trekking, swimming, farm site visits, and day tours. Specific attractions temporarily closed include Guintubdan Spring, Buenos Aires Resort, Mambukal Resort, Sugar Valley Coffee Farm, and other sites near or within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone.
Kanlaon Inland Resort and Eco-Tourism, Padudusan Falls, Bao-bao Viewing Deck, and Quipot Falls in Canlaon City have been closed by the City’s Local Government to ensure public safety.
The DOT said no injuries, fatalities, or stranded tourists have been reported.
It, however, advised travelers to avoid destinations within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone and areas heavily affected by ashfall. – With Irma Isip
It also urged tourists to remain cautious and stay updated by monitoring advisories from local government units, disaster response authorities, and DOT regional offices.
