The mandatory deadline for the evacuation of families residing within the 6-kilometer Expanded Danger Zone surrounding Kanlaon Volcano in two cities and one town in Negros Occidental was met on Monday, Dec 16.
They successfully evacuated 100 percent of the targeted residents for evacuation in Negros Occidental, Raul Fernandez, director of the Office of Civil Defense Western Visayas and chairperson of the Task Force Kanlaon, said.
There are 11,305 residents now in evacuation centers in Negros Occidental with 8,188 in La Castellana, 2,465 in La Carlota City and 382 in Bago City, an OCD report as of 11 a.m. Monday showed.
CANLAON CITY
Canlaon City in Negros Oriental as of 4:43 p.m. Monday had an 85.33 percent accomplishment rate with 5,229 of 6,092 residents living in the danger zone already in evacuation centers, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas said.
But they are still validating their figures as they may have reached 95 percent with some evacuees staying outside the evacuation centers, he said.
Indigenous people living in the danger zone in Canlaon City had initially not evacuated as their leaders were consulting with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Donato Sermeno III, OCD Negros Island Region director, said.
The NCIP advised them to follow evacuation instructions, he said.
ASH EMISSION
Kanlaon Volcano spewed ash estimated at 50 meters tall at 3:59 p.m. and 50 to 70 meters high at 4:28 p.m. Monday, Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist at the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory in La Carlota City, said.
A small dark ash cloud was observed rising from the volcano’s crater, a post on the Canlaon City Facebook page said after the 4:28 p.m. ash emission.
“The emergency siren has been activated, signaling the need to prepare for a possible volcanic eruption,“ the post said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also reported that Kanlaon, which remains at Alert Level 3 (intensified unrest), had 12 volcanic earthquakes from 12 a.m. Sunday to 12 a.m. Monday.
It also emitted 6,535 tons of sulfur dioxide on Sunday.
SAVING LIVES
The mandatory evacuation order was issued in the light of increased volcanic activity, prompting authorities to act swiftly to protect residents from potential hazards, Fernandez said.
Task Force Kanlaon has implemented a comprehensive evacuation strategy aimed at saving lives and minimizing suffering in the event of a catastrophic eruption, he said.
Expected rains brought on by a Low Pressure Area could wash down ash and other debris spewed by Kanlaon during its Dec. 9 eruption that would then turn into lahar.
A muddy stream flow from volcanic ash was reported in Barangay Guinpanaan, Moises Padilla, on Sunday.
Ash mudflow was also seen at the Abaga Falls and Twin Falls in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City.
The mudflow in Brgy Araal, La Carlota City, on Monday.*Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Facebook page photos
Checkpoints have been set up at roads leading to the 6-kilometer danger zone and public transportation have been rerouted, Sermeno said.
PANAAD READY
The Panaad Sports Complex in Bacolod City is now ready to take in 5,000 evacuees if needed, Irene Bel Ploteña Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) head, said.
Modular tents have been set up, and the Provincial Health Office has a clinic at the Panaad, she said.*