Ashfall triggers respiratory cases in Sorsogon

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – Six residents of Irosin, Sorsogon are still confined in the district hospital due to severe respiratory distress after Bulusan volcano spewed ash Monday morning, blanketing the municipality as well as Bulan, Magallanes and Juban towns, health officials said yesterday.

Dr. Ludovic Tan, Irosin district hospital chief, said five others are still under observation while another patient was allowed to go home.

Volcanologists said five millimeters of ash were deposited in Irosin town and 3 mm in Juban and Magallanes towns.

Bulusan’s explosion produced a grayish column that rose up to three kilometers above the summit and was carried by winds 30 kilometers up to Ticao Island and Masbate City.

At least 10,000 face masks, along with food packs, have been sent to the affected villages.

Volcanologists said 16 volcanic quakes were recorded at Bulusan in the past 24 hours. They were slated to conduct an aerial survey yesterday to determine the extent of the ashfall.

Authorities said classes resumed in ashfall-affected areas in Sorsogon and Masbate yesterday. – With Helen Flores, Cet Dematera, Jaime Laude