The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Negros Occidental has issued a public advisory following the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on Monday afternoon, December 9, warning residents about the health risks associated with ash fall.
Ma. Girlie Pinongan, provincial health officer, urged the public to remain vigilant and prioritize health precautions.
“With the eruption of Kanlaon volcano, the general public is reminded to take care of their health in the face of ash fall. Ash or ‘abo’ poses a risk to unprotected eyes and lungs and even contaminates water sources and food supplies,” she said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported yesterday that the ash fall affected Negros Occidental and extended to the nearby provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras and Antique.
Widespread impact
In Negros Occidental, 12 local government units, including the cities of Bago, La Carlota and Himamaylan and the municipalities of La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Murcia, Hinigaran, Valladolid, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, and San Enrique, suspended classes due to the ash fall.
Ash fall was also reported in Iloilo City and the towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Igbaras, Guimbal, Miagao, and Pavia in Iloilo province. Affected areas in Antique include San Jose de Buenavista, Belison, San Remigio, and Patnongon, while in Guimaras, ashfall was experienced in San Lorenzo, San Miguel, Nueva Valencia, and Sibunag.
In addition to the ash fall, the smell of sulfur was reported in several barangays and in the city proper of Bago.
Phivolcs also monitored pyroclastic density currents — dangerous flows of hot volcanic gas, ash, and fragmented rock — in the villages of Biak-na-Bato, Mananawin, Mansalanao, Masulog, Cabagna-an, Sag-ang, and Masulog in La Castellana.
Health precautions
The PHO advisory urged residents to minimize exposure to ash by taking precautions, such as wearing safety goggles and avoiding the use of contact lenses.
“Wear protection to cover your nose and mouth, such as medical or surgical masks, dust masks, or wet handkerchiefs,” the advisory stated, adding that residents should keep doors and windows closed to prevent ash from entering their homes.
The public was also encouraged to monitor the news, prepare a supply of maintenance medications, and pack an emergency bag in case evacuation becomes necessary.
Officials reminded residents to stay alert, especially in areas directly affected by the eruption, and to report any health concerns or emergency situations to local authorities. (PNA)