Phivolcs records 24 earthquakes at Kanlaon

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday recorded at least 24 volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon Volcano in Negros, amid the threat of another possible eruption.

State volcanologists said the volcano also produced 4,636 tons per day of sulfur dioxide and a plume that reached as high as 100 meters, drifting southwest.

“Continuous degassing with occasional ash emission was also observed,” Phivolcs said, adding that the volcano edifice is also inflated.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol earlier said a hazardous eruption is still possible and warned that magma and lahar pose a threat to residents around the volcano.

“That’s the reason why we raised Alert Level 3. The meaning of Alert Level 3 is that a hazardous eruption is possible in the following weeks,” Bacolcol said.

He said that aside from magma, the threat of lahar is possible.

“We asked those living especially along the rivers, even though they are far from the six-kilometer danger zone, to take precautionary measures as the rains can generate lahar,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said over P43.3 million worth of assistance has been provided so far to thousands of families affected by Kanlaon volcano’s continuing unrest.

“Additionally, P240,529,237 worth of standby funds and relief stockpiles are available in DSWD field offices VI and VII, constituting 186,328 units of family food packs,” the NDRRMC said, referring to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

It added that the funds being used for humanitarian assistance are coming from the DSWD, local government units and non-government organizations.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said it is planning to further expand the extended permanent danger zone around Mount Kanlaon from six kilometers to 10 kilometers amid the effects of a low-pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao, which also poses a risk of lahar flow on Negros Island.

“We’re also planning to move the evacuation centers that are still within that range – six to 10 kilometers – to at least outside of the 14-km radius,” Raul Fernandez, OCD Western Visayas director and Task Force Kanlaon chairperson, told Bilyonaryo News Channel.

Based on a report of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, a total of 5,772 affected families or 18,475 people have been evacuated from the permanent danger zone, giving the government a 99.17 percent evacuation rate.

The OCD said there are 29 evacuation centers on Negros Island.

Fernandez assured the public of sufficient food and non-food items for the evacuees, sourced from the government and donors.

However, Fernandez also appealed for more diverse food choices and recreational and educational materials for children as the affected residents may need to stay in evacuation centers until after the New Year.

“Based on the assessment of Phivolcs, there’s still a huge possibility of an explosive eruption any time. This is based on the volcanic activity that is ongoing, including volcanic earthquakes,” Fernandez said.

In the meantime, he said passes are being issued to evacuees who need to check on their homes and properties from time to time.

“While we need to ensure the safety of residents, we can’t discount the fact that most of their livelihood is left behind. That’s why the local government units issued camp passes for designated family members who will return to their homes to feed animals or take care of farm chores. We’re giving them a window period to conduct this activity between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” Fernandez said. — Michael Punongbayan