• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the emission of sulfur dioxide at the Kanlaon volcano continues to decline to less than 1,000 tons per day since May 19, the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology has yet again called for vigilance among the communities surrounding the volcano to be alert.
Mary Andelene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Observatory, said there could be an indication that the volcanic conduit is plugged, which may result in pressure build-up, that may result in an eruptive activity.
Previous eruptions of Kanlaon Volcano, from June last year to May 13 this year were preceded by a significant drop in sulfur dioxide emissions.
PHIVOLCS reported on May 23 that it recorded 18 volcanic quakes and a drop of SO2 emission to 978 tons on May 22, which was even lower at 653 tons on May 20.
Alert Level 3, or magmatic unrest, remains hoisted over the volcano.
For more than five months, 1,684 families have been occupying the 13 evacuation centers in Negros Occidental, as they are not yet allowed to return to their respective homes.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that it has already extended P116.7 million of humanitarian assistance to the displaced residents.
DSWD Western Visayas said that as of May 22, more than P77.2 million worth of food packs have already been released to the evacuees, on top of about P9.7 million in non-food items and 29.7 million in financial assistance.*
