DOH: Use face mask, cover eyes amid ashfall threat due to Kanlaon eruption

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday advised residents affected by the recent explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano to wear face masks and safety goggles to protect themselves from the health risks posed by ashfall. 

According to DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, the ideal face mask to help protect the lungs from the fine and tiny particles from ashfall is N95, but people could also use alternatives.

“Pwede rin naman po ang medical mask or kung wala hong mask, kahit anong tela na pwede nating basain ng konti ng malinis sa tubig at itakip sa ating ilong at bibig,” Domingo said in a Balitanghali interview. 

(They could also use a medical mask or if there’s no mask, they could wet any cloth with clean water and cover their nose and mouth.) 

“Sa mata, gumamit ho tayo ng goggles kung meron po tayo. Kung wala po, ating gumamit ng salamin or kung nasa loob tayo ng isang kwarto at naabutan tayo, isarado na natin 'yung mga bintana at 'yung mga pintuan, 'yung mga siwang lagyan ng mga tela para hindi pumasok ang abo habang ito ay nahuhulog,” he added. 

(For the eyes, use goggles if you have one, or glasses if you don’t. If you are inside a room, close the windows and doors and cover them with cloth so that the ash won’t enter the houses.) 

Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island had an explosive eruption on Tuesday morning. Alert Level 3 remains hoisted, signaling an intensified or magmatic unrest. 

Ashfall were reported in Negros Occidental following the explosive eruption, including Barangay Sag-Ang in La Castellana; Barangays Yubo and Ara-al in La Carlota; as well as Bago City.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said it is expecting more evacuees amid the intense ashfall in the area. Currently, there are over 2,000 families temporarily reading in evacuation centers. 

The DOH also called on residents who have existing medical conditions or those who have difficulty in breathing to abide by the call of authorities and evacuate as necessary. 

“Ang pinakamabisang gawin para sa nahihirapang huminga ay kung kaya, umalis doon sa lugar. Kaya nga ang dapat ho dito 'pag sinabi ng ating local government doon sa Negros Island Region, 'pag sinabi nila na mag-evacuate, sila kasi nakakaalam kung saan 'yung takbo nung hangin ayon na rin sa PHIVOLCS at PAGASA,” Domingo said. 

(The most effective thing to do for people with respiratory problems is to leave the area. They should follow the local government in the Negros Island Region when they announce an evacuation because they know where the wind is going, based on information from PHIVOLCS and PAGASA.) 

Under Alert Level 3, evacuation from the six-kilometer radius around the volcano’s summit is recommended. 

Possible hazards that may occur include sudden explosive eruption, lava flow or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density current, rockfall, and lahars during heavy rains. —RF, GMA Integrated News