• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Sulfuric odors emanating from the restive Kanlaon volcano have affected five local government units, leading to the suspension of classes in some areas, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña disclosed on Wednesday.
Schools Division Superintendent Neri Anne Alibuyog said that face to face classes at 14 schools in Bago City Negros Occidental were temporarily suspended on September 25, due to the odor of sulfur dioxide (SO2) discharged from the volcano.
Alibuyog added that the affected schools have shifted to blended learning, and face to face classes will resume once the odor subsides.
Ploteña said the sulfuric odor has also reached the barangays of Ilijan, Bacong, Maao, and Malingin in Bago City, villages of Ara-al, Yubo, Haguimit, La Granja, and Nagasi in La Carlota City, barangays of Mansalanao, Masulog, Robles, Camandag, and Sag-ang in La Castellana, villages of Odiong, Montilla, Guinpanaan, Macagahay, Quintin Remo, and Crossing Magallon in Moises Padilla, and the poblacion of Pontevedra.
While the sulfuric odor was not as strong compared to what was observed when Kanlaon volcano erupted on June 3, Ploteña added that they already coordinated with the Provincial Health Office to send supplies of face masks for the residents of the affected areas of five local government units.
On Tuesday, the heavy odor of sulfur dioxide also reached 19 schools in Moises Padilla, prompting students attending classes to wear face masks, while in some schools they were sent home, according to Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia Yulo.
Yulo added the sulfuric odor subsided on Tuesday due to the rains.
She also encouraged residents to wear face masks, and advised those who are suffering from asthma and chest pains, or not feeling well, to immediately visit their respective health centers.
The sulfur dioxide discharge of Mt. Kanlaon, which remains under Alert Level 2, was measured at 8,973 tonnes per day as of Sept. 25, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in its advisory.
In the past 24 hours, PHIVOLCS also recorded 10 volcanic quakes.
La Castellana MDRRM officer John de Asis also reported a strong sulfuric odor in different areas of the town on Tuesday.
PHIVOLCS reminded the residents near the volcano to limit exposure and protect themselves against the volcanic gas.
While the data from Kanlaon volcano has been lower than in previous weeks, resident volcanologist Mari-Andylene Quintia, PHIVOLCS resident volcanologist, said that the possibility of a magmatic eruption still remains.
For the volcano to be considered normal, volcanic earthquakes should be at 0 to 5 per day, and the sulfur dioxide it emits less than 300 tons a day.
So, the numbers at Kanlaon are still way beyond normal, Quintia said.*
