BACOLOD CITY – The frequency of ash emissions in Kanlaon Volcano over the past few days are still normal, but the public is advised not to be complacent and to remain vigilant, disclosed PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol.
“Under Alert Level 2, ash emissions occurring daily or even twice a day are consistent with the current unrest of Kanlaon Volcano,” Bacolcol said.
Up to 121 barangays in Negros Occidental were affected by the ashfall, following the moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on February 26.
The ongoing activity of Kanlaon Volcano also disrupted classes, affecting up to 233,428 students in 465 public schools, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Classes were suspended in 15 affected local government units, but are expected to resume on March 2.
So far, no school is being used as an evacuation center, DepEd said.
Bacolcol said there were many instances when the volcano emitted ash more than twice in a day, such as on January 12 when it registered four ash emission events, and three last Jan. 11.
While ash emissions are expected, he said these should still be closely monitored, especially if there are changes in frequency, plume height, or if these would occur alongside an increase in seismic activity.
“The public should understand that at Alert Level 2, the volcano remains active, with the possibility of sudden ash emissions or short-lived minor to moderately explosive activity similar to the Feb. 19 and Feb. 25 events,” he added.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Department of Health (DOH) have jointly distributed face masks across Negros Island to protect residents and responders from ashfall brought by the recent activity of Kanlaon Volcano.
According to a report from OCD-Negros Island Region (NIR), a total of 5,760 N95 masks were given to frontline responders from local government units (LGUs) in Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Ilog, Candoni, La Carlota, La Castellana, Bago, Binalbagan, Isabela, and Moises Padilla.
The masks are intended for use during response operations in areas impacted by the volcanic unrest.
Prior to this, OCD and partner agencies had already distributed surgical masks as a precautionary measure to several LGUs.
Beneficiary local governments include Ilog, Candoni, La Castellana, La Carlota, Binalbagan, Himamaylan, Hinigaran, and Kabankalan, where a total of 350,000 surgical masks were provided to support community protection efforts. (Gilbert Bayoran with PNA)