By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental’s La Castellana town was under a state of calamity due to the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano earlier this week, Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan said.

Mangilimutan, in an interview, said the declaration of the state of calamity is part of the local government unit’s (LGU) precautionary measures as Kanlaon is still under Alert Level 2.

She said more than 200 families or over 800 individuals in six barangays were affected by the eruption.

The mayor added that several families in 13 villages have felt the sulfuric fumes spewed by Kanlaon since Monday night, June 3.

Crop damage due to ash fall has been reported in Barangays Cabagnaan and Sag-ang.

Mangilimutan stressed the ongoing danger due to the unpredictability of Kanlaon’s volcanic activities, and the possibility of further eruptions due to rising temperatures.

The LGU, in an executive order on Tuesday, June 4, suspended work in all government offices and agencies in the town, except those with functions that involve the delivery of basic health services, disaster preparedness, response, and other vital services.

Mangilimutan also encouraged private companies to suspend work, but the decision depends on the owners./JB, WDJ