• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Tourist sites in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, are now open for visitors, just more than a month after they were closed on June 3 due to the phreatic eruption of Kanlaon volcano.
In an executive order, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said the reopening of tourism sites is essential for the economic recovery and livelihood of local communities.
EO 45 states the lifting of order on closure of tourism sites affected by the volcano phreatic eruption.
Cardenas said that comprehensive assessments have determined that the conditions have significantly improved and risks mitigated to an acceptable level.
Ongoing monitoring of volcanic activity and geological hazards shall continue, with provisions for immediate reinstatement and closures, should safety conditions deteriorate, and tourism operators and visitors are advised to adhere to updated safety guidelines, including restricted access to certain hazardous zones and compliance with evacuation procedures, if necessary, the EO stated.
Alert Level 2 remains in effect at Kanlaon volcano.*
