Residents wear masks, stay indoors due to ashfall after ‘moderately explosive’ Kanlaon eruption

Residents in parts of Negros Occidental had to wear face masks and stay inside their homes due to the ashfall following a moderately explosive eruption at Kanlaon Volcano on Sunday evening.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV’s Aileen Pedreso in “24 Oras” on Monday, among the areas that experienced an ashfall were Barangays Mansalanao and Cabagnaan in La Castallena.

In Barangay Robles, residents can be seen wearing face masks.

“Mahina nga ito kaysa sa nakaraan. At mas makapal noon ang abo, ngayon kaunti lang. Ang sakit nga ng mata ko dahil sa abo,” said Merlinda Roberto.

(This is actually weaker than the last one. The ash was thicker before, now there is only a little. But my eyes really hurt because of the ash.)

Some had to wear masks even while sleeping.

“Hindi talaga maiiwasan. Kahit nga tulog kami, nagma-mask kami, natural na may takot,” said Sharon Malunes.

(It really can't be avoided. Even while we are sleeping, we wear masks, it's only natural to feel afraid.)

The other towns affected by the ashfall are Binalbagan, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, Pontevedra, and Ilog, and the cities of San Carlos, Himaymaylan, and Kabankalan, the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said.

“In case mayroong ashfall na ma-experience sa kanilang communities, mag-wear sila ng face mask because it would also help to protect sa kanilang health,” said Irene Bel Ploteña, Negros Occidental PDRRMO head.

(In case mayroong ashfall na ma-experience sa kanilang communities, mag-wear sila ng face mask because it would also help to protect sa kanilang health.)

The eruption occurred at the volcano’s summit at 6:07 p.m., generating a two-kilometer-high ash column.

Aside from an ashfall, a grassfire was also reported around the volcano.

“Ang ganitong frequent eruption, ay nagpapakita na very active, highly active ang bulkan. Kung magpapatuloy ang mga eruption at kasama nitong parameters, kung hindi sila magpakita ng significant change, posible tayong magtaas ng alert level,” said Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist from the Kanlaon Volcano Observatory.

(Frequent eruptions like this show that the volcano is very active, highly active. If the eruptions continue along with these parameters, and if they don't show a significant change, it’s possible we will raise the alert level.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News