The recent Kanlaon Volcano eruption in Negros Island is not yet the worst case scenario, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol likened the May 13 moderate explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, which lasted about five minutes, to its April 8 eruption which had a longer duration of 56 minutes.
Bacolcol disclosed that Alert Level 3 prevails over Kanlaon Volcano, although he raised the possibility of a stronger eruption.
Based reports of the Task Force Kanlaon, ashfall affected 12 local government units, including the cities of La Carlota, Bago, and San Carlos, highly urbanized Bacolod City, and the municipalities of La Castellana, Hinigaran, Murcia, San Enrique, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, and Binalbagan in Negros Occidental, along with Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
The odor of sulfur was reported in some barangays of Bago City, San Carlos City, Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and also in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Water rationing was also reported in Brgy. Ilijan, Bago City.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Negros Occidental advised the public to report any Kanlaon-related incidents in their local government unit and to continue to take precautionary measures against the harmful effects of the recent eruption.
The Office of Civil Defense prohibited entry into the six-kilometer extended danger zone, to carry out farming and other essential activities, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On the other hand, flights at the Bacolod Silay Airport resumed last Wednesday. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)