• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Regional Task Force Kanlaon head Raul Fernandez wants managers of evacuation centers to make sure of the accounting of the internally displaced persons under their respective supervision, as he also ordered tightening of border controls along the six-kilometer extended danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano.
Effective May 28, the Regional Task Force Kanlaon suspended anew entry by residents into the extended danger zone, during the 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. window period, to carry out farming and other essential activities, due to increasing volcanic activity, which experts say could be a precursor to another eruption.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology reported on Wednesday the occurrence of 22 volcanic quakes and sulfur dioxide emissions of 947 tons on May 27, which may indicate plugging at the volcano conduit, and could result in pressure build-up and lead to an eruptive activity.
Admitting that they cannot conduct patrols in all areas of the extended danger zones, Fernandez, however, said he instructed all those manning border control checkpoints in barangays Biak-na-Bato, Cabagna-an and Mansalanao in La Castellana; Brgys. Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City, and in Brgy. Ilijan in Bago City, and in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, to ensure that no one enters the danger zone.
There should be no human activity within the 6-kilometer extended permanent danger zone, he stressed.*
