• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The eruption of Kanlaon Volcano yesterday is not yet the bigger one anticipated by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Science and Research Analyst, Engr. Ferly Sianson, who is based at the PHIVOLCS La Carlota station, described the latest activity of Kanlaon Volcano as a minor explosive eruption.
Two minor explosive eruptions also took place at Mt. Kanlaon, on June 3 and December 9 last year.
While they are expecting a bigger eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano, Sianson said they cannot determine when it will happen. As of now, we are still in Alert Level 3 status, she added.
The explosive eruption started at 5:51 a.m. on Tuesday, producing a voluminous bent plume approximately 4,000 meters tall that drifted southwest.
Sianson also reported that Pyroclastic Density Currents (PDCs) descended the slopes on the general southern edifice of the volcano.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Negros Occidental reported light to heavy ashfall over 60 barangays of La Carlota City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Bago City, San Enrique, and Hinigaran.
Sulfuric odors were also reported in four barangays of Bago City and La Castellana, the report added.
A grassfire was also reported at the eastern upper slopes of Kanlaon Volcano, likely ignited by superheated ballistic fragments that were thrown from the crater by the explosive eruption.
Classes in all levels were suspended in the cities of La Carlota and Bago, and the municipalities of La Castellana, Pontevedra and Isabela in Negros Occidental.
Dr. Junnie Martin Torrefranca, Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer, reported that rationing of drinking water is ongoing in La Carlota barangays, especially in villages of Yubo and San Miguel, which is being carried out by the local government in tandem with the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP).
Twelve of the 14 La Carlota City barangays, including Araal, Yubo, San Miguel, Haguimit, La Granja, Cubay, Nagasi, Balabag, RSB, and Poblacions 1, 2 and 3, were affected by the ashfall.
Work in government offices in La Carlota City were suspended yesterday, as Torrefranca encouraged the private sector to do so as well, in the interests of public safety.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan also prohibited the entry into the extended 6 kilometer permanent danger zone for La Castellana residents, even during the allowable 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. time window, as a result of the Kanlaon Volcano activity.
While Bacolod City remained unaffected by the ashfall, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez announced yesterday that they are ready to assist those that may be affected by the eruption.
As of April 8, the Department of Social Welfare and Development reported that there are 4,319 families, composed of 13,959 persons, still inside and outside of evacuation centers.
As of February 10 this year, damage to agricultural crops in Negros Occidental due to the Kanlaon Volcano eruptions has been valued at P129,628,163.52.*
