BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) of Pontevedra, Negros Occidental conducted an emergency safety simulation exercise (SIMEX) with other government agencies in the town’s Barangay Zamora.
The activity done Friday last week was in preparation for the possible eruption of Kanlaon volcano which recently showed signs of increased activity.
Barangay Zamora is a few kilometers from the volcano.
The SIMEX scenario – Pontevedra DRRMO head Fairy Grace Andrico contacted village officials of Barangay Zamora informing them that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) had placed the volcano under “Alert Level 3.”
Alert Level 3 means the volcano has entered a “high level of volcanic unrest.”
A volcano may be placed on the said alert level if PHIVOLCS has recorded a sustained increase in the levels of volcanic earthquakes, some may be perceptible. There is also:
* forceful and voluminous steam/ash ejections
* sustained sulfur dioxide emission rates
* ground deformation or swelling of the edifice
* activity at the summit involving a dome growth and or laval flow, and resultant rockfall.
Under the scenario Andrico ordered the barangay officials to inform their residents to prepare for an evacuation.
Some of the residents also participated actively in the SIMEX and immediately proceeded to the barangay hall where they waited to be transported to the evacuation center.
Those who have vehicles were immediately told to drive away from the area and proceed to the evacuation site.
Meanwhile, village peacekeepers or tanods assisted residents who were unable to move and brought them to the rendezvous area to await transportation.
At the evacuation site, personnel from the Pontevedra Municipal Police Station and DRRMO personnel assisted the would-be evacuees.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet over, the evacuation site also has an available isolation area where possible COVID-positive individuals can stay.
Previously, PHIVOLCS director Dr. Renato Solidum advised local government units surrounding the Kanlaon volcano to review their disaster preparedness plans.
Among the LGUs that have heeded PHIVOLCS’ advice included the towns of Moises Padilla and La Castellana, and the cities of San Carlos, Himamaylan, La Carlota, and Bago.
As of July 23, Kanlaon remained under an Alert Level 1, and entry to the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited./PN
