Measures stepped up at Bulusan

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Although the ash explosions were typical of Sorsogon’s Mt. Bulusan as it becomes restive, according to volcanologists, civil defense officials have nevertheless activated a task force to ensure zero casualties should the situation worsen.

Bernardo Alejandro, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said Task Force Bulusan would ensure no human activities within the permanent danger zone even if the alert level remains at one.

Thirty families or 168 villagers in Casiguran and Irosin towns were allowed to return to their homes yesterday morning, but were told to go back to evacuation centers later in the afternoon.

Volcanologists reported yesterday that the two craters of Bulusan have “coalesced” and ash was mainly deposited on the volcano’s southwest sector facing Irosin.

Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), reported the volcano’s new configuration after conducting an aerial survey yesterday.

Phivolcs recorded 17 volcanic quakes, higher than Wednesday’s, and a lower sulfur dioxide emission of 135 tons during the past 24 hours.

“The activity of Bulusan is still at a lower level but we must have a contingency plan if the level of unrest escalates in the coming days,” Solidum told reporters at the Sorsogon provincial capitol.

Phivolcs scientist Ed Laguerta, who accompanied Solidum in the aerial survey, warned residents along the southwest river channel in Barangay Cogon of potential lahar, as heavy rains are expected due to the cold front.

Field investigation showed that Bulusan’s ash explosions last Wednesday reached as far as Irosin on the southwest and Juban on the west-northwest.

Civil aviation authorities have warned pilots plying the Legazpi-Cebu route not to fly near Bulusan, as ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions could pose hazards to aircraft. – With Jaime Laude