By Brian Campued
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is closely monitoring the air quality in areas affected by the latest eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said.
“This will help determine whether further evacuations are necessary if Kanlaon continues to emit toxic gases,” the President said in an ambush interview Tuesday.
Kanlaon Volcano erupted at around 3:03 p.m. on Monday, producing an approximately 3,000-meter-high plume above the summit vent that drifted west-southwest.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) immediately hoisted Alert Level 3 over Kanlaon, signifying that a “magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions.”
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol noted that Monday’s eruption was powerful compared to its last eruption in June this year.
“That’s the reason we’re raising the alert level because this may happen again in the next few weeks and baka mas malakas pa. So aabot doon sa, lalagpas sa four-kilometer permanent danger zone,” he said, adding that they may extend the scope of the danger zone from six up to 10 kilometers if Kanlaon’s eruptive activity further escalates.
In a Bagong Pilipinas interview, the Phivolcs chief also advised residents to remain vigilant against pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) and volcanic ash.
“Ang PDC or ang pyroclastic density current ay isang mabilis na daloy ng mainit na volcanic gases; pinaghalo-halo po ito—volcanic gases, ash, at pira-pirasong bato na bumababa galing sa bulkan—and may speed po na umaabot ng daan-daang kilometro kada oras,” Bacolcol said.
He stressed that PDCs are “very dangerous” as it could destroy anything on its path, such as trees or establishments, and could also kill.
“Kapag madaanan ka ng PDC, most likely magiging casualty ka kasi mabilis po iyong takbo ng PDC—hundreds of kilometers per hour—and puwede pong ma-incinerate po ang tao,” Bacolcol explained.
Meanwhile, residents are also advised to wear masks to avoid inhalation of volcanic ashes as these might aggravate respiratory problems.“Magsuot po sila ng N95 [mask]. Kung walang N95, pwede ring surgical mask. Kung wala talaga, pwede na po ’yong wet cloth and ’yon po ’yong puwede nilang gawing face mask,” he said. (with report from Abby Malanday/PTV News)
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