The local government of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, is urging internally displaced persons (IDPs) to refrain from returning to their residences and farms within the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) due to heightened activity at Mt. Kanlaon.
“The IDPs are advised against visiting their homes and farms within the PDZ for now, following the continuous degassing of Mt. Kanlaon as reported by Phivolcs,” Canlaon City Public Information Officer Seth Bariga told the Philippine News Agency on Monday, April 13.
Bariga said ash emissions from the volcano have become more frequent over the past few days. However, authorities have not yet issued an evacuation advisory for those living within the 6-kilometer extended PDZ.
Currently, 12 families (45 individuals) are staying at the Canlaon Volcanic Camp 11 in Barangay Masulog, while four families (21 individuals) are housed at Camp 20 in Barangay Pula.
While the city normally grants these IDPs a window from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to tend to their agricultural lands and homes within the 4-kilometer PDZ, that access is restricted during periods of heightened activity.
Alert Level 2 remains hoisted over Mt. Kanlaon.
The city government continues to monitor degassing activities and remains prepared with logistics and staff to respond promptly should an eruption require a wider evacuation.*
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