Authorities are preparing for worst-case scenarios in light of Kanlaon Volcano’s continuous seismic activities, the Office of Civil Defense in Western Visayas (OCD-6) said.
Officials in various local government units in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are now focused on comprehensive preparations for possible scenarios at Kanlaon, which include a violent eruption resulting in widespread ash fall, as well as pyroclastic and lava flows, the OCD-6 said in a statement.
Such volcanic events could lead to severe damage to infrastructure, displacement of thousands of residents, and long-term environmental impacts, it added.
Emergency plans are being developed to facilitate rapid evacuations, establish additional temporary shelters and ensure the distribution of essential supplies to affected populations.
Meanwhile, OCD-6 said a hundred percent of the targeted residents living within Kanlaon’s six-kilometer expanded danger zone (EDZ) have been evacuated following the volcano’s continuous seismic activities.
OCD-6 director Raul Fernandez said they successfully evacuated all residents inside the EDZ.
At least 11,305 residents are now in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental, Fernandez said.
La Castellana town has the highest number of evacuees with 8,188.
It is followed by La Carlota City with 2,465, and Bago City with 382.
Evacuations have been conducted in local government units surrounding Kanlaon, such as Negros Occidental cities of Bago, San Carlos and La Carlota, as well as La Castellana town; and Negros Oriental’s Canlaon City.
Earlier, the OCD-6 implemented a forced evacuation within EDZ in LGUs surrounding the volcano.
Local authorities also reported challenges as some residents continue to return to their homes despite the risks of another volcanic eruption.
On the other hand, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) noted a rise in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from Kanlaon yesterday.
Approximately 8,600 tons of SO2 flux, a 75-meter plume moving southwestward, was observed, Phivolcs said.
At least 32 volcanic earthquakes have occurred at the volcano in the past 24 hours.
Phivolcs also reported that Kanlaon’s edifice had been inflated.
Health protocols
The Department of Health (DOH) has been actively overseeing evacuees’ health conditions by conducting comprehensive regular inspections, aiming at ensuring compliance with all health protocols to protect the well-being of individuals in the facilities.
The DOH prioritizes water sanitation and hygiene measures inside evacuation centers to prevent the spread of disease.
The department also implemented health strategies, including regular water testing, ensuring a safe water supply, and giving emphasis on proper hygiene practices.
On the other hand, the Department of Social Welfare and Development prepositioned 3,283 hygiene kits and modular tents for the affected residents.
Plans are also in place to set up a tent city in Bago City’s Barangay Napoles, which will include 200 tents to serve as temporary shelters for families displaced by the eruption.
Water quality sampling is being conducted, while air quality monitoring stations are in place to assess levels of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide in areas at risk of lahar flows from the eruption.
Air quality monitoring stations have been established across Negros Occidental to assess levels of particulate matter, and installed equipment monitoring sulfur dioxide levels in some evacuation centers in La Carlota.
Water quality sampling points have also been identified, including locations along the Bago River and other bodies of water./With reports from GMA Integrated News / WDJ