Authorities are looking into expanding the areas covered by the mandatory evacuation near Kanlaon Volcano, especially since a tropical cyclone could develop next week.
In the report of Mariz Umalis on 24 Oras Wednesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said, Kanlaon Volcano has emitted 4,000 tonnes of sulfur dioxide per day since its explosive eruption on Monday.
PHIVOLCS also logged 30 volcanic earthquakes in the last 24 hours.
However, state volcanologists said it is too early to detect if Kanlaon’s activity should be raised to Alert Level 4, which means the volcano can erupt at any moment.
“We will assess this on a day-to-day basis but again Alert Level 3, ibig sabihin niyan hazardous eruption is possible within the next few weeks. But of course, we will have to evaluate this one. Titignan natin kung mag eescalate pa further (We will see if it will escalate further),” PHIVOLCS chief Teresito Bacolcol said.
Mandatory evacuation is strictly implemented within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.
“The LGUs should urge the public to prepare for possible alerts. Step up to Alert Level 4 should the activity persist or worsen so dapat yung mindset natin hindi natin iisipin na we will, the Alert Level will be lowered down but we should prepare as if the alert level will go up,” Bacolcol said.
(The LGUs should urge the public to prepare for possible alerts. Step up to Alert Level 4 should the activity persist or worsen. So the mindset is that the public should not be complacent but be alert and prepared as if the Alert Level will go up.)
Authorities are also looking into expanding the areas covered by the mandatory evacuation since there is also the threat of ashfall and the possibility of another tropical cyclone entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility next week.
“We are doing already a worst case scenario planning wherein umaabot na yung ating planning ng hanggang 10 kilometers. So, pagdating kasi sa worst case scenario na nasa 10km na yung extended PDC umaabot na sa halos 139,000 individuals yung kailangang ilikas so that will require additional evacuation centers, require additional food assistance and the like,” said Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV.
(We are already planning for the worst-case scenario wherein it could expand to 10 kilometers. So when it comes to the worst case scenario, the pyroclastic density current (PDC) would reach 10km and almost 139,000 individuals have to be evacuated, so it will require additional evacuation centers, additional food assistance and the like.)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it is prepared to accommodate all the evacuees.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health said it has delivered medicines, N95 masks, and nutritional commodities to the affected communities.
The Department of Tourism also suspended tourism activities such as trekking, swimming and farm site visits in vacation sports in La Castellana, La Carlota City, Bago City, and Murcia in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
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