• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Police authorities yesterday implemented the forced evacuation of residents in Barangay Biak-Na-Bato, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, due to mud flows that rendered the national road impassable for several hours.
The muddy stream flow, which was likened to lahar by residents, carried with it debris such as rocks and trees, among other volcanic materials.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan yesterday said she ordered the forced evacuation to ensure the safety of affected residents, who are temporarily staying at schools in Brgy. Cabacungan, La Castellana.
Heavy rains near the peak of Kanlaon volcano reportedly triggered the ‘muddy sheet wash.’
On Tuesday, the municipality of La Castellana in Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, which are among the local government units affected severely by ashfall and sulphuric fumes, following the phreatic explosion of Kanlaon volcano on Monday night, were placed under a state of calamity.
Mangilimutan has also dispatched heavy equipment to clear the road of the mud flow.
About 141 families in Brgy. Biak Na Bato in La Castellana were reportedly forced to evacuate.
That is on top of 232 affected families, composed of 978 persons, presently staying in different evacuation centers of La Castellana, under the care of the municipal government, aside from food packs distributed by local government unit, provincial government of Negros Occidental, and other government agencies,
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) resident volcanologist Engr. Mary Andylene Quintia reported heavy rains at the volcano’s peak, which led to the cascading of water, mixed with volcanic debris, down into the rivers and streams of the lowlands.
Quintia also debunked reports of a Kanlaon eruption, stressing that it was thunder from the thunderstorm that was heard by residents.
She added that PHIVOLCS thermal cameras have not recorded any eruption.
As of yesterday, Kanlaon volcano remains at Alert Level 2.
According to Mangilimutan, farm lands in six upper barangays of La Castellana, located at the foot of the volcano, have been almost covered by ashfall, which extended to three more barangays during the Kanlaon volcano eruption.
Suspension of work in all government and agencies was ordered by Mangilimutan in La Castellana, and in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental by Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, except for those with functions that involve the delivery of basic services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital services.
Mangilimutan said she also coordinated with the Department of Trade and Industry for a freeze on prices of basic commodities, following the declaration of state of calamity in La Castellana.
More than 1,500 residents in three cities and three municipalities in central Negros, which have barangays located at the foot of Kanlaon volcano, fled from their respective homes, shortly after the eruption on Monday night.
While the situation in Canlaon City is back to normal, noting that the volcanic activity mellowed down, Cardenas still emphasized that the restriction within the permanent four-kilometer danger zone be strictly observed.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who visited La Castellana Wednesday, said all those moved to evacuation centers have been told to remain in EC, until Alert Level 2 will be downgraded.”
About 200 families of three barangays in neighboring La Carlota City, which are situated at the foot of Kanlaon volcano, composed of 376 persons, are either staying at the evacuation centers or with their relatives, according to a report of the La Carlota City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.*
