SAN CARLOS CITY (UCAN): Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, in the Philippines, offered help as thousands of people were ordered to evacuate when Mount Kanlaon, which looms over nearby Canlaon City, erupted on June 3. The volcano spewed a column of hot volcanic ash and gas five kilometres into the sky, impacting around 23,622 residents in five villages.
“Let us not succumb to fear, but instead place our trust in God and focus on the safety and well-being of our families and communities,” Bishop Alminaza urged.
“We pledge our support and assistance, embodying the Church’s mission to serve those in need,” the bishop said in a special message on June 4.
“Your contributions, reflecting the spirit of Christian charity, will bring relief to many,” he said.
As of June 4, Mount Kanlaon, one of 24 seismically active volcanoes in the Philippine archipelago, remains under Alert Level 2 after its increased unrest, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology [Phivolcs].
According to the Phivolcs, the eruption was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake with reports of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odours in communities on the mountain’s western slopes
During an emergency meeting Jose Chubasco Cardenas, mayor of Canlaon City, said that the administration had ordered mandatory evacuation, suspended classes and work, and closed down the tourism industry in the city.
“Our primary goal here is to ensure the safety of our people,” Cardenas said during the meeting.
The provincial health office has asked the residents to wear facemasks as ash fall particles and sulfur from the volcano can cause respiratory illnesses.
According to the Phivolcs, the eruption was preceded by a relatively strong volcano-tectonic earthquake with reports of coarse ashfall and sulfurous odours in communities on the mountain’s western slopes.
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Army and rescue personnel have been deployed and at least 40,000 food packs from the social welfare department were distributed to the five villages—Pula, Masulog, Malaiba, Lumapao, and Linuthangan—on Negros Island, which is the fourth most populous island in the country.
The civil aviation department reported cancelling more than 60 flights overnight, affecting over 5,000 passengers.
Rising 2,465 metres above sea level, Mount Kanlaon last erupted on 20 December 2017. Its earliest recorded eruption dates back to 1866.
