• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Tourism related activities, parties, and social gatherings have been prohibited within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone of Kanlaon volcano, which remains on Alert Level 3, following its December 9 eruption.
In an advisory, the Department of Tourism suspended trekking, swimming, farm site visits, and day tours in La Castellana, La Carlota City, Bago City, and Murcia in Negros Occidental, as well as in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, where some villages are affected by heavy ashfall.
While no injuries, fatalities, or stranded tourists have been reported, DOT strongly advised travelers to avoid destinations within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone and areas heavily affected by ashfall.
Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas also prohibited the holding of parties and gatherings, and suspended social activities within the 6-kilometer radius of the volcano in Canlaon City.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan suspended the Christmas lights on ceremony, scheduled on December 12 to 14, in Barangays Cabacungan and Mansalanao, and the poblacion of La Castellana.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has strongly recommended the evacuation of all residents within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone, as it entertains of another possible eruption of Kanlaon volcano
Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, administrator of the Negros Occidental provincial government, raised the possibility that the evacuees may spend Christmas within evacuation centers, as the Office of the Civil Defense wants them to stay for at least three weeks, pending observations of the activities of the volcano.
Diaz added that Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has ordered the preparation of three week worth of food provisions for the affected residents.
More residents from the 6-km permanent danger zone of La Castellana and La Carlota City have sought refuge in evacuation centers, because of the strong smell of sulfur and ashfall.
As reported by the Office of the Civil Defense, about 10,993 families, composed of 37,699 persons, affected by the latest eruption of Kanlaon volcano, are now staying in 29 evacuation centers, with 28 cities and municipalities in Regions 6 and 7 affected by ashfall.
Mangilimutan expressed concern that if all the 8,000 families, composed of 33,000 individuals, who are residing within the 6-km permanent danger zone in La Castellana, will go down from the mountain, they cannot be accommodated in 11 evacuation centers.
Bracing for the worst case scenario, Mangilimutan said they will bring displaced persons from La Castellana to neighboring local government units, such as Isabela, Pontevedra, and Himamaylan City, if the alert level of Kanlaon is raised.
As of Tuesday night, there are about 2,809 families, composed of 9,288 individuals, staying at the evacuation centers of La Castellena, which is the area hardest hit by the Kanlaon volcano eruption, according to the mayor.
While their supply of potable water remains okay, due to the help from neighboring LGUs and national government agencies, as well as the private sector, Mangilimutan said they are facing a shortage of rice.
Diaz said they are also readying the Panaad Sports Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City, which can accommodate 5,000 persons, for the acceptance of affected residents.
The provincial government also earmarked 3,000 liters of fuel, for use by the affected LGUs and the PNP in the transport of affected residents, and sent food packs, 288 five-gallon containers filled with potable water, face masks and hygiene kits, to the affected LGUs.
Task Force Kanlaon has been organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, to ensure coordination of all activities related to the eruption of Kanlaon volcano.
The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division has also activated its Disaster Response Task Units (DRTUs) following the explosive eruption of Mount Kanlaon, by mobilizing the manpower and transport vehicles of 303rd Infantry Brigade and 62nd Infantry Battalion, in Canlaon City and La Castellana, to help evacuate affected residents and assist local government units in their disaster response efforts.
Other disaster response teams from the 79th, 94th Infantry Battalions, and 542nd Engineer Construction Battalion were also placed on standby and alert status, for deployment.
Following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Offices received reports of tourism stakeholders in affected areas experiencing heavy ashfall. These include municipalities and cities in Negros Occidental, such as La Castellana, La Carlota City, Bago City, and Murcia. In Negros Oriental, the affected area includes Canlaon City.
Specific attractions temporarily closed include Guintubdan Spring, Buenos Aires Resort, Mambukal Resort, Sugar Valley Coffee Farm, and other sites near or within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. Additionally, Kanlaon Inland Resort and Eco-Tourism, Padudusan Falls, Bao-bao Viewing Deck, and Quipot Falls in Canlaon City have been closed by the local government to ensure public safety.
Tourists are urged to remain cautious and stay updated by monitoring advisories from local government units (LGUs), disaster response authorities, and DOT Regional Offices.*
