• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three barangays in Bago City, Negros Occidental, experienced ashfall after an ash emission of Kanlaon Volcano on June 2, which saw plumes reaching up to 1,200 meters high, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Donato Sermeno III, Office of Civil Defense regional director for Negros Island Region, disclosed on Tuesday that light ashfall hit villages of Mailum, Ilijan and Binubuhan, all in Bago City, Negros Occidental.
The ash emission, which lasted 29 minutes, generated grayish plumes that drifted in a westerly direction. PHIVOLCS also recorded 38 volcanic quakes, including a volcanic tremor.
Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano, indicating a high level of volcanic unrest.
On May 31, the Office of Civil Defense lifted the prohibition of entry into the danger zone during the window period hours of 6am to 4pm, which allows farmers to carry out farming and other essential activities.
With the recent developments, Sermeno said they are still in coordination with PHIVOLCS to determine if they will restore the prohibition of entry into the six kilometer extended danger zone.
Kanlaon Volcano had an explosive eruption on June 3 last year. One year later, 2,248 families are still occupying evacuation centers, according to Sermeno.*
