OCD preparing for higher alert status amid Kanlaon Volcano activity

The Office of Civil Defense is in the middle of preparations should the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raise Kanlaon Volcano's alert status from the current Level 3 to Level 4, after another eruption on Tuesday morning. 

“Sa kasalukuyan, may higit 2,000 pamilya tayong tinutulungan through the efforts of the DSWD and the local government units na nandoon sa evacuation centers natin. This would translate to more than 6,000 individuals,” Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said.

(Currently, we are helping more than 2,000 families in evacuation centers, through the efforts of the DSWD and the local government units. This would translate to more than 6,000 individuals.) 

“‘Pag inangat sa Level 4, sa ngayon hanggang six kilometers ang bawal ‘yung mga nakatira. ‘Pag naging level 4, hanggang 10 kilometers. Ang translation niyan, madaragdagan tayo ng more than 90,000 na kinakailangan ilikas mula sa mga komunidad,” he added. 

(Right now, the danger zone is six kilometers from the volcano. If alert level 4 is raised, it will be extended to 10 kilometers. This means that we have to evacuate 90,000 more people.) 

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island had an explosive eruption at 5:51 a.m. on Tuesday, the PHIVOLCS said. The eruption ended at 6:47 a.m.

Ashfall was reported in some areas of Negros Occidental following the explosive eruption. The affected areas were Barangay Sag-Ang in La Castellana; Barangays Yubo and Ara-al in La Carlota; as well as Bago City.

Malacañang has assured that assistance would be provided to those affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano. –NB, GMA Integrated News