• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Communities within the danger zone of the Kanlaon volcano are facing the double crisis of the continuing restiveness of Kanlaon volcano, and the threat of flooding due to heavy monsoon rains.
A total of 212 families, composed of 667 individuals, have responded to the call for preemptive evacuation of Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas, from the four-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon volcano, which logged 13 volcanic quakes, and elevated sulfur dioxide emissions, at 10,880 tons per day, as of September 14.
During his visit to evacuation centers in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria found out that respiratory issues are confronting the displaced individuals, due to the strong and foul odor of sulfur dioxide emissions from the volcano, prompting the authorities to distribute hygiene kits and face masks.
Significant damage to crops, such as rice, corn, and vegetables were reported in the affected barangays of Canlaon City.
Sagarbarria also committed to give 25 kilos of rice to each of the displaced families who have been staying in the evacuation centers for several days.
In La Castellana, which was badly affected by the phreatic explosion of Kanlaon on June 3, more than 1,000 individuals were transported from their homes to evacuation centers, since Thursday last week, in compliance with the preemptive evacuation ordered by the local government, due to the threats of flooding and the volcano.
Meanwhile, the number of displaced families inside the evacuation centers rose to 2,796 families, composed of 8,953 persons, while 118 other families, composed of 441 individuals are staying outside of evacuation centers, according to the latest report of PDRRMC issued Sunday night.
There are now 15,583 families, composed of 47,811 individuals, affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon, also known as habagat.
Damage to agricultural crops was pegged at P7,390, 214 in 11 LGUs, while losses to fisheries and livestock was reported by PDRRMC at P632,083, as of Saturday.
A teenager was also reported missing in Barangay Maricalum, Sipalay City, according to reports of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
The Philippine Coast Guard has temporarily suspended sea travel due to Gale Warning No. 2 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to Toledo, Cebu; Pulupandan to Guimaras; Cadiz to Bantayan; and Bacolod to Iloilo.
Trips to Sipaway Island from mainland San Carlos City were also temporarily suspended.
Classes on September 16, in the cities of Bacolod, Sagay, Silay, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, San Carlos, La Carlota, Sipalay, Victorias, and Cadiz, as well as the municipalities of Isabela, Pulupandan, Isabela, Hinigaran, Calatrava, Binalbagan, E.B Magalona, Moises Padilla, and Don Salvador Benedicto, have been suspended.
On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI activated its Emergency Operation Center, to prepare for well-coordinated response operations, given the effects of the monsoon and the ongoing unrest of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration is also on alert, in case its La Granja Agricultural and Research Facility (LGAREC), may be affected by the restiveness of Kanlaon volcano.
SRA administrator Luis Pablo Azcona also said the LGAREC may be used as a shelter for affected farmers.*