‘Hazardous eruption possible in Kanlaon’

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  – State volcanologists yesterday warned that a “hazardous eruption” may occur at Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island in the coming weeks.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Kanlaon, which means a “hazardous eruption” is possible.

“We are not discounting that possibility that it may happen and Alert Level 4 may be raised,” Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said during a meeting of the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council in this city yesterday.

The meeting was conducted following an aerial inspection over the volcano, using two Black Hawk helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

On board the helicopters were experts from Phivolcs, officials of the provincial  disaster risk reduction and management councils of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and representatives from the Office of Civil Defense in Western and Central Visayas.

The team conducted rapid damage assessment and needs analysis, and gathered critical data on potential hazards of the Kanlaon eruption.

Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, chief of the PAF public affairs office, said the flight mission lasted almost an hour.

Castillo said the same helicopters would be used to airlift relief goods to affected communities.

In the past 24 hours, Phivolcs recorded two volcanic earthquakes and sulfur dioxide emission of 7,019 tons.

Noting the fluctuating data, Bacolcol said a downtrend in the volcano’s parameters may indicate a “calm before the storm.”

He said that before the volcano erupted on Dec. 9, Phivolcs recorded six volcanic quakes and gas emission of 1,699 tons.

The figures were lower than the  previous weeks’ 7,000 to 11,000 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Bacolcol said the recent explosion produced new magma.

“Analysis of the ashes showed it came from old volcanic rocks, indicating presence of a strong upward pressure,” he said.

Citing seismic and other data, Phivolcs said the Dec. 9 eruption was similar to, but stronger than what occurred on June 3.

State of calamity

Meanwhile, the province of Negros Occidental has declared a state of calamity due to the damage caused by the “explosive eruption” of Kanlaon.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and  management council, led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, passed a resolution containing the declaration and signed by all council members.

The council cited the impact of the eruption on the municipalities of Binalbagan, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Enrique and Valladolid as well as in the cities of Bago and La Carlota.

Lacson said a price freeze in all basic commodities, including face masks, will be implented in concerned local government units (LGUs). He cited reports that face masks are reportedly being sold at P20 to P30 per piece.

The declaration is expected to be concurred in by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in special session today.

Lacson said the provincial government and concerned LGUs may now utilize their calamity or quick response funds to assist residents displaced by Kanlaon.

He said Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro would ask President Marcos for additional funds to assist residents who may remain in evacuation centers for at least three weeks.

Local officials have been urged to implement mandatory evacuation in areas located within the six-kilometer radius from the crater.– Michael Punongbayan