• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology logged two more ash eruptions on Monday at the Kanlaon Volcano, after recording 78 volcanic quakes since April 9.
The first ash eruption, which started from 11:52 a.m. until 2:12 p.m. on Monday, generated voluminous ash plumes reaching as high as 800 meters above the summit crater.
Another ash emission event followed at 2:53 PM on the same day, also generating a voluminous ash plume as high as 600 meters from the summit crater.
Ash was reported by PHIVOLCS to have drifted west-northwest of the volcano.
It also warned residents of La Carlota City, Bago City, and other nearby towns to expect ashfall.
Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano.
The Regional Task Force Kanlaon (RTFK) prohibits all forms of pilgrimage and trekking, especially entry into the 6-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) of Kanlaon Volcano, during the observance of the Holy Week.
It also ordered all Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (LDRRMOs) of concerned LGUs surrounding Mt. Kanlaon to activate their Incident Management Teams (IMTs) and to immediately place all responders on high alert status to ensure preparedness and rapid response capability.
On the other hand, the police advised the public to refrain from taking baths at irrigation areas in Hacienda Salvacion, Barangay Ayungon, La Carlota City, because the water is believed to have been contaminated by ashfall.*
