• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Work was suspended yesterday at the Rafael Salas Park and Nature Center in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ilijan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, due to the strong odor of sulfur and thin ash fall, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Merinje Ortizo disclosed yesterday.
The 18 tourism employees assigned the park and nature center were ordered not to report to work yesterday, Ortizo said.
Two more ashing events were recorded on Thursday by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, as the degassing of Kanlaon volcano continues. It also logged 14 volcanic quakes and the emission of 4,099 tons of sulfur dioxide on November 6.
PHIVOLCS resident volcanologist Mari-Andylene Quintia reported yesterday that an ash plume was observed at 5:55 and 6:39 Thursday morning, which drifted towards the areas of Bago City and the town of Murcia.
Thin layers of ashfall were observed on Wednesday in Sitio Upper Pantaw in Brgys. Pula and Masulog in Canlaon City.
Thin layers of grey ash also affected barangays of Biak Na Bato, Cabacungan, and Cabagnaan in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, according to Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer John de Asis.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan said they have not received reports on an increase in respiratory ailments in La Castellana, as of this time.
Pinongan advised residents in the area to wear masks or use clean clothes when Kanlaon emissions occur.*
