BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that it has logged 90 volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes on Kanlaon Volcano, as of 12 a.m. of October 17.
PHIVOLCS also recorded 953 tons of sulfur dioxide flux on October 16, with a weak ash emission that generated a 75-meter tall plume that drifted southwest.
The volcano edifice remains inflated.
Alert Level 2 prevails over Mount Kanlaon, which means that the volcano is in a state of increased unrest.
While he was surprised by the number of VT quakes, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, however, said that there is no announcement of its imminent eruption.
In a statement, the PHIVOLCS said that an increase in VT events could lead to increased chances of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, or short-lived weak to moderately explosive eruptions occurring at the summit that could generate life-threatening volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, ashfall and rockfall.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region has deployed 106 police personnel to assist local government units to enforce no entry to the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone around Kanlaon Volcano.
On the other hand, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the provisions of go bags to all police personnel nationwide as part of their efforts to beef up the service’s emergency response capabilities in times of calamities.
He said this is very timely, considering that the country was recently hit by a series of typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
“The main objective of this initiative is to ensure that our police personnel are always prepared and capable of responding effectively during emergencies and disasters. Kapag handa ang bawat pulis, handa rin ang buong organisasyon na tumugon sa anumang hamon o kalamidad (When every police personnel is ready, the whole organization is also ready to respond to whatever challenge or calamity),” Nartatez explained.
Earlier, the PNP Public Information Office began distributing emergency go bags to its personnel, each containing essential survival items such as first aid kit, ready-to-eat food, water, flashlight, whistle and communication tools.
Nartatez emphasized that the distribution of go bags is part of the PNP’s broader disaster preparedness and resilience program aimed at reinforcing the organization’s operational readiness during calamities. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds with PNA reports)