BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas issued a precautionary advisory after the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Occidental on Monday afternoon.
While the current northeast wind direction suggests that ashfall is unlikely to reach Iloilo City, Treñas stressed the importance of safety measures.
“We urge everyone to remain vigilant, stay indoors when possible, and monitor updates from reliable sources,” Treñas said.
He also advised residents to wear masks (preferably N95 or KN95) if outdoor exposure is necessary, as volcanic ash can pose significant health risks.
The Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center is closely monitoring the situation. Neighboring areas such as Guimaras and parts of southern Iloilo province, including Tigbauan, have already reported ashfall. However, Iloilo City’s metropolitan area remains less likely to be affected.
The mayor urged the public, particularly individuals with respiratory illnesses, to wear masks when outdoors to minimize risks from possible ashfall.
He noted the hazards associated with volcanic ashfall, including respiratory issues, eye and skin irritation, and environmental effects.
The city remains on high alert for potential impacts and has disseminated warnings to ensure residents take the necessary precautions to safeguard their health and safety.
The local government has urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure, and prioritize their well-being during this period of uncertainty.
The Kanlaon Volcano erupted on Monday, December 9, at 3:03 p.p., producing an eruption column that rose approximately 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) into the atmosphere.
The eruption prompted the evacuation of 87,000 residents as a precautionary measure.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the alert status to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest), indicating that a magmatic eruption has commenced and could escalate into more explosive activity.
PHIVOLCS has advised all local government units to enforce the evacuation of areas within a 6-kilometer radius from the volcano’s summit and prepare for potential expansion of the evacuation zone if activity intensifies.
The eruption’s ash plume drifted west-southwest, while pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) were observed descending the southeastern slopes of the volcano.
These flows were monitored using infrared and thermal cameras, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance in affected areas.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have urged residents near the danger zone to comply with evacuation orders and take precautions against ashfall, which could pose health and environmental risks.
With the ash plumes from Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption drifting west and southwest, PHIVOLCS has identified several areas in Negros Occidental that may experience ashfall.
These include the cities of Bago and La Carlota and the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Isabela. Residents in these areas are advised to take precautionary measures, such as staying indoors, wearing masks, and avoiding outdoor activities, to minimize health risks from volcanic ash.
Local government units in the affected regions have been instructed to monitor the situation closely and ensure that evacuation centers are prepared if additional displacement becomes necessary.
Meantime, Mayor Treñas has assured the Ilonggo community that the Iloilo City Government is closely monitoring the ongoing eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
While current wind patterns indicate ashfall is unlikely to affect Iloilo City, Treñas emphasized that the safety and well-being of residents remain the city’s top priority.
“We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and advice issued by local authorities and emergency services. Stay informed through official channels and avoid spreading misinformation,” Treñas said.
The mayor added the city government is working with disaster response teams and health authorities to ensure readiness should the situation change.
Residents are encouraged to wear masks if ashfall occurs and stay indoors to avoid potential respiratory issues.
The Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center has confirmed through monitoring that the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon produced a voluminous ash plume rising up to 3,000 meters and drifting west-southwest. While Guimaras and parts of southern Iloilo province, including Tigbauan, have reported ashfall, the current wind direction (northeast) makes an ashfall in Iloilo City unlikely.
In addition, Trenas also urged the public to use face masks, preferably N95 or KN95 respirators, especially for individuals with respiratory conditions.
He also urged the public to stay indoors to reduce exposure to ash and noxious gases and monitor for symptoms of respiratory issues, eye or skin irritation, and seek medical attention if necessary./PN
