DUMAGUETE CITY – rhe Canlaon City government in Negros Oriental is prepared to distribute masks and provide assistance like transportation and medication to residents in case of an ashfall due to Mt. Kanlaon’s ash emission.
Seth Bariga, information officer of Canlaon City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said in an interview on Wednesday, September 10 that face masks have been previously distributed to residents in the barangays within the 4-kilimeter radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
“The residents, who had returned home from months of staying at evacuation centers, already have face masks and know the drill in case their communities are affected by ashfall. We already alerted them today about possible ashfall and to take the necessary measures,” he said. Bariga added that if the residents run out of masks, the city could distribute more when needed.
The volcano emitted a 600-meter grayish plume at about 5:10 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Bariga said so far, no ashfall has been reported in Canlaon City’s barangays within the PDZ as the wind were blowing westward.
The local government also continuously monitors possible landslides or lahar/ mud flows due to intermittent rains over the past few days in the mountain city.
If evacuation is necessary, city government vehicles are available at designated pick-up points to transport residents to safer areas. | with Mary Judaline Partlow, pna |
