• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Kanlaon Volcano erupted again on Sunday night, making it the third event since the eruptions on February 19 and 26.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the moderately explosive eruption at the summit of Kanlaon Volcano occurred at 6:07 p.m., sending a five-kilometer eruption column into the air.
The brief eruption lasted a minute, with the ash emission monitored heading towards the southeast and northeast directions.
According to initial reports of the Office of Civil Defense – Negros Island Region, ash fall was monitored in Barangay Odiong, Moises Padilla, and the barangays of Mansalanao, Cabagna-an, Cabacungan, Camandag, Manghanoy, and Biak-Na- Bato, in La Castellana.
Ashfall was also reported in the villages of Canmoros, San Vicente, San Pedro, San Teodoro, Santo Rosario, San Jose, Bagroy, Payao, Paglaum, Marina, Enclaro, and Progreso in Binalbagan, as reported by its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo reported ash fall in Hacienda Salud and Sitio Calapnisanin Barangay Rumirang; Hacienda Bacan in Barangay Guintubdan; Sitio Crossing in Barangay Bungahin, and Barangay Bulad in Isabela.
Sulfuric odors were also observed by residents of Brgy. Mailum in Bago City, Brgy. Codcod in San Carlos City, as well as in La Carlota City.
Forest fires were also reported within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon Volcano, OCD-NIR reports indicated.
However, no flight cancellations were reported last night at the Bacolod-Silay airport, despite the eruption of the volcano.
Alert Level 2 remains raised over Kanlaon Volcano, with entry prohibited into its 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone.
No classes were declared today in Himamaylan City and in Binalbagan due to the ashfall caused by the eruption.
Mayor Anejo Nicor suspended classes in all levels, at both private and public schools in La Castellana, as he advised the public to be cautious due to the pyroclastic flow and ashfall.
Based also on initial reports of the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region, a total of 44 families, composed of 147 individuals, in four affected barangays are now staying in evacuation centers.
PRO-NIR said they have standby police units in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental to assist displaced families, maintain peace and order, border control, and ensure the protection of evacuees, particularly against gender-based violence during this critical time.
Local government units have been also advised to maintain preparedness measures and ensure the readiness of communities within the hazard zones for possible evacuation should volcanic activity escalate.*
