ONGOING UNREST. A view of the summit of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island. On Monday (Sept. 23, 2024), the La Castellana municipal government in Negros Occidental advised schools in the vicinity to keep watch as Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) prevails over the active volcano. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology)
BACOLOD CITY – Classes resumed in La Castellana, Negros Occidental on Monday, about two weeks after Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan ordered the suspension on Sept. 10, following the increase in the seismic activity of Mt. Kanlaon.
However, the municipal government still advised schools near the foot of the volcano to keep watch as Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) prevails over the active volcano.
“All schools are directed to resume regular academic activities and operations starting Monday. In the light of the ongoing volcanic unrest, all schools within the vicinity of Mt. Kanlaon must implement safety and contingency protocols,” Nicor-Mangilimutan said in a directive.
The mayor instructed school heads to coordinate with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) for real-time monitoring and updates on the volcanic activity, conduct drills, and establish evacuation plans in case of a sudden escalation of alert level.
She also said the local government unit (LGU), through the MDRRMO and the Department of Education, will ensure that all educational institutions comply with the necessary safety protocols.
“All schools are encouraged to conduct information campaign to raise awareness among students and parents about volcanic hazards and preparedness,” she added.
In its advisory on Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reiterated that entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and flying any aircraft close to the volcano is prohibited.
Since the middle of September, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Western Visayas has activated the camp management committee in La Castellana, which has several barangays located at the foot of the volcano and the worst hit when Mt. Kanlaon erupted last June 3.
“We are prepared to immediately respond to the needs of the affected families due to the recently observed unrest of Mt. Kanlaon,” DSWD-Western Visayas Regional Director Carmelo Nochete said in a statement.
Kanlaon agri damage nears P151-M
The volcano’s ongoing restiveness has so far caused PHP150.9 million worth of agricultural damage, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
In its latest situation report as of Sept. 22, the NDRRMC said this includes PHP139.6 million in Central Visayas and PHP11.3 million in Western Visayas.
Some 2,341 farmers and fisherfolk were affected by Kanlaon’s unrest -- 2,206 in Central Visayas and 135 in Western Visayas.
The total affected crop area was placed at 1,595.81 hectares, of which 1,061.53 hectares were classified as totally damaged and 543.28 hectares were tagged as with a chance of recovery.
Some 2,680 houses were damaged in Western Visayas, it added. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
