By JEN BAYLON
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumes from the restive Kanlaon Volcano have affected 22 barangays in five local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, and disrupted face-to-face classes in 14 public schools in Bago City.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said the villages that reported high levels of sulfur fumes are Barangays Mansalanao, Masulog, Robles, Camandag, and Sag-ang in La Castellana town; Odiong, Guinpana-an, Montilla, Macagahay, Quintin Remo, and Crossing Magallon in Moises Padilla town; Ilijan, Bacong, Mailum, Ma-ao, and Malingin in Bago City; Ara-al, San Miguel, Yubo, La Granja, and Haguimit in La Carlota City; and Pontevedra town.
PDRRMO head Irene Bel Ploteña clarified that the sulfurous odor from Kanlaon was not strong.
Ploteña said some LGUs have already requested supplies of face masks, and they are now coordinating with local health officials in relation to Kanlaon’s volcanic unrest.
The PDRRMO has also requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to check SO2 levels in the affected villages.
Authorities reminded residents near Kanlaon to wear face masks due to the sulfuric fumes.
John de Asis, head of the La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said strong sulfuric odors were experienced in Barangays Masulong and Mansalanao on Tuesday afternoon, September 24, and lasted until yesterday.
Class suspension
The Department of Education-Bago City Schools Division prompted the cancellation of face-to-face classes in 14 public schools in the city yesterday due to the sulfuric fumes.
The suspension of classes was implemented in CA Dormido Elementary School, Najaba Elementary School, RM Araneta Elementary School, Mailum Elementary School, RS Abindan Elementary School, Don Salvador Benedicto Elementary School, Louisian Elementary School – Lourdes Extension, Louisiana Elementary School, RT Louisiana National High School, RT Bacong National High School, Najaba Elementary School – Tabucol Extension, J. Montilla Elementary School, PF Elizalde Elementary School, and Ma-ao Elementary School.
City Schools Division Superintendent Neri Anne Alibuyog said the students were given modules to study at home until classes resumed.
Alibuyog said the resumption of face-to-face classes will depend on monitoring results from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
“Once it is okay, we will resume classes tomorrow. We just want to keep them safe,” she said.
Some teachers and parents reported an increasing intensity of the odor last week, as students wore face masks during classes.
“The learners have also been made aware of the need to wear face masks. They have been advised to wear masks for safety,” she said.
Alibuyog said the monitoring of Kanlaon’s volcanic activities will continue.
8,973 tons of SO2
A total of 8,973 tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted and 10 volcanic earthquakes were recorded at the Kanlaon since Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in its bulletin yesterday.
The swelling caused by magma inside the volcano continues, Phivolcs said.
Mari-Andylene Quintia, Phivolcs resident volcanologist, said Kanlaon’s seismic and volcanic activities have declined compared to previous weeks.
She said volcanic earthquakes should be at zero to five per day, and SO2 emissions should be less than 300 tons a day to consider the volcano to be in its normal state.
However, the possibility of a magmatic eruption still remains, Quintia warned.
Ground deformation data further revealed that the edifice of the volcano has inflated, which could indicate that magma is building up pressure.
Phivolcs advises residents living near Kanlaon to drink plenty of water in case of exposure to sulfur fumes, and to rinse eyes with clean water if there is eye irritation.
Aircraft are also prohibited from flying close to the volcano due to the risk of sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, which could occur without warning.
Kanlaon is currently at Alert Level 2 due to “increased unrest” following its explosive eruption on June 3. / With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ