BACOLOD City – Around 1,526 individuals from several villages across four local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental were evacuated to temporary shelters following the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano on Monday night, June 3.
The displaced residents include 222 in Bago City, 371 in Pontevedra, 857 in La Castellana, and 76 in La Carlota City, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) data released as of 2:14 a.m. yesterday.
Irene Belle Ploteña, head of PDRRMO, told the local media yesterday morning that they are still waiting for an additional data from the affected LGUs.
Around 6:51 p.m. on Monday, a phreatic or steam-driven eruption occurred at Kanlaon Volcano, producing a 5,000-meter plume.
As of yesterday, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) said the alert level of the volcano remained at Alert Level 2.
The PDRRMO also said that at least 14 LGUs in the province have been affected by the coarse ashfall and sulfurous smell after the “explosive eruption.”
Ashfall was observed in six LGUs, and sulfurous odor in eight localities, it added.
Ashfall has been expected in La Carlota City, the southeastern part of Bago City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, Valladolid, San Enrique, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan since Monday night.
In Bacolod City, at least 24 barangays felt the sulfurous odor, based on the report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Based on reports from the affected LGUs, local health authorities continue to monitor residents with respiratory illnesses who may be affected by the ashfall and volcanic fumes.
Ploteña advised the residents in affected areas to wear facemasks.
They were also told to stay indoors but maintain adequate ventilation or avoid going out as sulfur may cause a stinging sensation to the eyes and blurring of vision could lead to accidents.
For its part, the Provincial Health Office has dispatched its medical teams to the affected areas.
Also, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has prepared the deployment of relief packages for the affected LGUs. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
