Over 23K residents affected by Mt. Kanlaon eruption — mayor
DUMAGUETE CITY – At least 23,622 residents of five barangays in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, have been affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said during a meeting yesterday attended by provincial and local officials.
The figure is about 40 percent of the city’s total population of 58,822, Cardenas said.
During a meeting at Canlaon City Hall, Cardenas briefed Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria and other top provincial officials on the city’s current situation and the ongoing measures to protect its residents.
Cardenas said 40,000 food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas Region (DSWD-7) are being distributed to the affected barangays, which include Pula, Masulog, Malaiba, Lumapao, and Linuthangan.
He said not all affected village residents went to designated evacuation centers, as many have opted to stay with relatives and friends.
To date, only 155 families are staying at the evacuation centers.
PRC DEPLOYS VOLUNTEERS
Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed 143 volunteers, staff members, assets and resources amid Kanlaon eruption.
The PRC through its Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter, is on alert for a possible intensification of Mount Kanlaon’s phreatic eruption.
The team of PRC are currently in place and can be mobilized instantly, should a massive pre-emptive evacuation take place.
PRC chairman and CEO Dick Gordon reiterated the importance of practicing the 4Ps: “Predict, Plan, Prepare, Practice” as a way to be ready for disasters.
“We are always ready and prepared to help. Our RC143 volunteers in the affected area and response vehicles are ready to be deployed. It is better to be over-prepared in times of crisis,” added Gordon.
Kanlaon Volcano erupted at 6:15 p.m. on June 3, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported..
29 DOMESTIC FLIGHTS CANCELLED
ABOUT 29 flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been canceled due to the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, the Manila International Airport Authority reported yesterday.
Among the flights cancelled are: Cebu Pacific (5J)
5J 473/474 Manila-Bacolod-Manila; 5J 451/452 Manila-Iloilo-Manila; 5J 453/454 Manila-Iloilo-Manila;5J 476 Bacolod-Manila; 5J 464 Iloilo-Manila; 5J 454 Iloilo-Manila
AirAsia (Z2) Z2 761/762 Manila-Cebu-Manila;
Z2 603/604 Manila-Bacolod-Manila; Z2 306/307 Manila-Iloilo-Manila.
PAL Express (2P) 2P 2841/2842 Manila-Cebu-Manila;
2P 2139/2140 Manila-Iloilo-Manila; 2P 2129/2130 Manila-Bacolod-Manila; 2P 2131/2132 Manila-Bacolod-Manila; 2P 2141/2142 Manila-Iloilo-Manila; 2P 2905/2906 Manila-San Jose, Antique-Manila; 2P 2835 Manila-Cebu; and 2P 2836 Cebu-Manila.
On Monday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert level of Mt. Kanlaon from Level 1 to Level 2 due to an explosive eruption that lasted 6 minutes.
“Explosive volcanic eruptions occur when volcanic gas expands quickly. When the pressure is too high, gases are released suddenly, causing a powerful explosion that blasts out ash, gas, and lava,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said.
Aviation authorities were told to advise pilots to avoid flying near the volcano’s summit as ejecta from sudden phreatic eruptions could be hazardous.
In a Facebook post Monday night, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered the stockpiling of family food packs (FFPs) in response to Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption.
Gatchalian said he is in constant coordination with the regional directors of DSWD 6 (Western Visayas) and DSWD 7 (Central Visayas), as well as with local government unit officials to ensure the department’s efficient response for all those affected by the eruption.
Gatchalian is scheduled to check the situation in the areas affected by the volcano eruption.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), meanwhile, said it is ready to support local disaster response units amid Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption.
The office also urged affected residents to stay vigilant and heed the authorities’ warnings and advisories.
“We are receiving reports of evacuation activities in Negros Occidental. Response teams are being deployed in the affected areas to move the residents to safe places. The Provincial DRRMO of Negros Occidental has also raised its Alert Level Status to BLUE and activated its response clusters,” it added. By Arlene Rivera and Philippine News Agency (with Priam Nepomuceno)
