• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded on Monday the fifth highest emissions of volcanic sulfur dioxide from Mount Kanlaon since instrumental gas monitoring started, the stench of sulfur dioxide that was emitted from the volcano has also affected some barangays of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, PHIVOLCS resident volcanologist, disclosed on Tuesday that residents of barangays Masulog, Panubigan, and Binalbagan, as well as villages in Canlaon City proper, reported the smell of sulfur.
That prompted Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas to suspend classes in Canlaon City, due to severe weather conditions. He also advised teaching and non-teaching personnel not to report to work.
At the same time, Cardenas advised the Department of Education and private school administrators to implement alternative learning strategies to minimize academic disruptions.
In an advisory, PHIVOLCS reported that volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emissions from the summit crater of Kanlaon on October 28, averaged 10,047 tons per day.
“Kanlaon has been degassing increased concentrations of volcanic SO2 this year at an average rate of 1,273 tonnes/day prior to the 3 June 2024 eruption, but emission since then has been particularly elevated at a current average of 4,210 tonnes/day,” it added.
On the threat of lahar flow due to heavy rains in the past weeks, Quintia said they have not monitored any, adding that the volcanic ash deposits from the June 3 phreatic eruption had already been washed out by rains.
PHIVOLCS warned that prolonged exposure to volcanic sulfur dioxide, especially among communities within direct reach of accumulation from plumes during low wind conditions, can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and the respiratory tract.
Quintia said that Alert Level 2 still prevails over Kanlaon, which indicates increasing unrest. PHIVOLCS also strongly advised the public to be ready and vigilant, and to avoid entry into the four kilometer permanent danger zone.
The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park has been asked to declare the volcano 4km Permanent Danger Zone as a “Strict Protection Zone.”
The PHIVOLCS Kanlaon Volcano Alerts Scheme, according to a resolution recently approved by members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council 6, states that even in normal conditions, perennial hazards may occur suddenly and without warning within the radius of the 4-km. PDZ. The area is currently in the protection zone of the MKNP.*
