Kanlaon sulfur stench hits 5 Negros areas

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The stench of sulfur dioxide emitted by Kanlaon Volcano hit five areas in Negros Occidental, prompting school officials to suspend classes yesterday.

City Schools Division Superintendent Neri Anne Alibuyog canceled face-to-face classes in 14 schools in Bago City due to the stench, according to Irene Bel Plotena of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office.

Alibuyog directed officials of schools affected by the stench to shift to blended learning. She said in-person classes would resume as soon as the odor subsides.

Plotena said the stench prevailed in several villages in Bago, La Carlota, La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Pontevedra.

Although the stench was not as strong when Kanlaon erupted on June 3, Plotena said the provincial health office distributed face masks to affected residents.

On Tuesday, classes in some schools in Moises Padilla and La Castellana were also canceled due to the stench.

Meanwhile, a portion of the fence surrounding the Mayon Volcano observation station  in Albay has been stolen, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said a ”significant part“ of the metal fencing was removed from the Upper Lidong Observation Station, which is part of the Mayon Volcano Network.

Local government units near the volcano and residents were urged to report any similar incident in the future.