THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday warned of a “hazardous eruption” of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island as over 11,7000 individuals have been evacuated so far since the volcano’s “explosive eruption” last Monday.
Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said Kanlaon “is erupting every now and then,” noting its first explosive eruption on June 3, which prompted Phivolcs to raise the alert status to Level 2 (increasing unrest).
Phivolcs on Monday further raised the volcano’s alert status to Level 3 (magmatic unrest).
Bacolcol said ground deformation monitors detected short-term inflation in the summit area prior to the eruption, meaning “magma was near the surface.”
Also, he said, sulfur dioxide emission decreased prior to the eruption, meaning “pressure was building up below.”
“That was the reason why we had a low level of sulfur dioxide measurement yesterday (Monday). Eventually, the pressure became too much, causing the volcano to erupt,” he said.
On the possibility of Kanlaon having a similar eruption, Bacolcol said, “Alert Level 3 means that a hazardous eruption is possible in the coming weeks.”
“So yes, the possibility that there may be another eruption is still there. That’s the reason why we raised it to Alert Level 3,” he said.
Bacolcol said Phivolcs reiterated that people within the six-kilometer danger zone should be evacuated.
Asked until when people should remain at evacuation centers, Bacolcol said, “It’s hard to say. We don’t know for sure until when Kanlaon will exhibit this kind of behavior.”
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Western Visayas said 3,470 families or 11,720 individuals have been evacuated as of 1 p.m. yesterday.
The evacuees are from 19 barangays in the cities of Bago and La Carlota and towns of La Castellana, Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, and Murcia, all in Negros Occidental, said OCD-Western Visayas spokesperson Maria Christina Mayor adding most of the evacuees (2,455 families or 7,983 individuals) are residents of La Castellana.
Mayor also said evacuation was still ongoing as of yesterday.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, also chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the aim is to evacuate 54,000 people staying in the extended six-kilometer danger zone.
The Office of Civil Defense earlier said at least 87,000 individuals may be affected by the evacuation. Teodoro said the “actual count” was actually 54,000 only.
Teodoro also some were hesitant to leave people were already evacuated as of yesterday morning.
He said some people are not keen on being evacuated because they do not want to leave their belongings unattended.
“Actually, this is no longer preemptive (evacuation), this is already forced evacuation,” said Teodoro.
He said another 10,000 people will have to be evacuated if the volcano’s alert status is raised to the next level.
AID ASSURED
President Marcos Jr. said government still has enough funds and resources to provide for the needs of those displaced by Kanlaon’s unrest.
“We are ready to support the families who have been evacuated outside the six-kilometer danger zone,” the President said in an ambush interview in Bulacan.
Marcos said Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian went to Negros Occidental yesterday to check on the situation on the ground and determine what other forms of assistance should be provided.
Marcos also said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Science and Technology are closely monitoring the air quality in affected communities. This will help determine whether further evacuations are necessary if Kanlaon continues to emit toxic gases, he said.
The DSWD said it has distributed P628,300 worth of food and non-food relief items to the affected communities.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza appealed to the public to pray for the welfare of the people in the vicinity of the Mt Kanlaon.
The Diocese of San Carlos issued a “Prayer for Deliverance from Calamities,” asking God to spare Negros Island “from the threat of calamities, natural and man-made.”
The Diocese of Kabankalan (Negros Occidental) has issued an appeal for donations for affected communities.
HEALTH HAZARDS
The Department of Health warned the public against potential health hazards from the eruption like respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, eye and skin irritation, and water-borne diseases.
The DOH said respiratory illnesses may occur as volcanic ash can irritate the respiratory tract, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions.
“Use N95 masks if available. Any medical mask or even folded clothes may help if N95 masks are not on hand,” it said.
Ash particles can cause redness, itching, and pain in the eyes, the DOH said and advised the public to use eye protection like goggles.
The DOH also said the public may experience skin irritation as prolonged ash exposure may lead to skin rashes.
“If in an area affected by ashfall, stay indoors, and close all doors and windows,” it said adding ashfall will also increase the risks of developing water-borne diseases.
“Do not use water that may have been contaminated by ash,” it said.
The DOH raised the “Code White” alert in all its Centers for Health Development (CHD) or regional offices due to the eruption, and instructed regional offices “to enhance surveillance, prepare for potential disruptions, and increase coordination with local government units and other agencies.” – With Jocelyn Montemayor and Gerard Naval
