Kanlaon eruption destroys P194 million crops in Negros town

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The eruption of Kanlaon Volcano has destroyed up to P194 million worth of agricultural produce in La Castellana, Negros Occidental alone, according to the municipal government.

La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan yesterday said that ashfall from Kanlaon caused damage to coffee, vegetables and other crops as well as livestock and fishponds, which have yet to recover from the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

Ashfall events were recorded in the villages of Biak Na Bato, Cabacungan, Cabagnaan, Camandag, Manghanoy, Mansalanao, Masulog and Sag-ang.

The city government of Canlaon in Negros Oriental has yet to determine the amount of damage caused by the ashfall to the local agriculture.

Records from the veterinary office of Negros Occidental showed more than 3,400 livestock and chickens died in the phreatic explosion that occurred on June 3.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it recorded 11 volcanic quakes and one ash emission in the past 24 hours.

Kanlaon emitted 7,818 tons of sulfur dioxide on Monday.

Mangilimutan said families who formerly resided or maintained farms within the four-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone of the volcano were not allowed to return.

A majority of the families have established residences outside the danger zone. Some remain in a covered court in Barangay Masulog and are being attended to by the municipal government.

Mangilimutan said the local government has provided a property in Barangay Manghanoy for the relocation of 10 families formerly residing on the slopes of Kanlaon.

An evacuation center will rise at the same site, she said.