More villagers residing at the foot of Mt. Kanlaon in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental have sought temporary refuge in evacuation centers as the volcano continues to show increased seismic activity with larger volumes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions.

Edna Lhou Masicampo, city information officer-designate, said as of Friday, September 13, 144 families or 431 individuals are staying at five evacuation centers.

Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas visited these centers in Barangays Pula, Masulog, Linothangan, Malaiba, and Lumapao to check on the condition of the evacuees.

Residents in these barangays within the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone of Mt. Kanlaon are urged to evacuate amid the increasing volcanic activity.

Some people who earlier evacuated have opted to go home to attend to their livestock and farms, and were asked to sign a waiver, the LGU said on social media.

The latest update of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued Friday morning said 17 volcanic earthquakes were recorded and 10,880 tons of SO2 emitted on Thursday, September 12.

The steaming plume is obscured by rain clouds and the volcano has an inflated edifice.

The city government has imposed a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Other measures in effect are mandatory wearing of face masks in public places due to the harmful effects of SO2 and a liquor ban. (PNA)