DISRUPTION Residents of ashfall-hit Barangay Puting Sapa in Juban, Sorsogon, are forced to leave their community again on Friday after government volcanologists observed increased seismic activities on Mt. Bulusan. —PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SORSOGON PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE
LEGAZPI CITY—Just two days after they returned home, some residents living near Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon province were again evacuated on Friday due to a looming second eruption of the volcano after authorities observed an increase in seismic activity in the area just five days after it erupted on June 5.
On Thursday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the increase in activity started from 5 a.m. to 11:20 p.m., and at least 45 volcanic earthquakes, including two low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, were recorded by the Bulusan Volcano Network.
“Most of these (activities) were weak and shallow events, but may indicate that a phreatic eruption could possibly occur within the next few hours,” Phivolcs said in an advisory.
Increased seismicity
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, Phivolcs said a total of 149 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours were recorded, much higher than the five volcanic earthquakes recorded on Thursday.
“At alert level 1, phreatic eruptions are possible. The increased seismicity involves small events but may indicate an increased possibility of a phreatic eruption,” Science Undersecretary Renato Solidum, head of Phivolcs, told the Inquirer in a private chat message on Friday.
Salvador Mendoza, spokesperson for the provincial government, said at least 19 elderly residents and 14 children from Barangay Puting Sapa in Juban town were evacuated to the Tughan evacuation center at the town center on Friday.
He said rescue teams and vehicles were on standby for the possible evacuation of other residents in the towns of Juban, Irosin and Bulusan.
“We also prepared the social welfare and health offices for relief goods and medical needs of the residents,” Mendoza said in a phone interview.
Canceled activities
The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) in Sorsogon canceled on Friday all the activities within the 5- to 6-kilometer danger zone due to the increased possibility of another eruption of Mt. Bulusan.
In a memorandum, Raden Dimaano, head of PDRRMO, said the cancellation of activities also included areas in the 2-km extended permanent danger zone.
Classes on Friday were suspended indefinitely in at least 25 schools located within the permanent danger zone, said Jose Doncillo, the schools division superintendent in Sorsogon.
“The cancellation is for the safety and protection of students and teachers since we were advised by the disaster officials about the abnormal status of Mt. Bulusan, “ Doncillo told the Inquirer by phone.
He said schools were being prepared as temporary evacuation centers should the need arise.
More than 400 residents of Puting Sapa were sent home on Wednesday after the clearing of ash spewed by the volcano in the phreatic eruption on June 5.
Animals, too
Leo Tabing, the municipal agriculturist of Juban, said farmers were also advised to harvest their vegetables and prepare their animals for possible evacuation.
“It would be better if they could harvest early to save the vegetables, while animals could be prepared in case of evacuation,” he said.
During the June 5 eruption, at least 30 farm animals in the villages of Puting Sapa ang Buraburan were also evacuated.
Tabing said they were preparing the dairy farm in Sorsogon City to house other animals.At least P1,813,650 worth of crops were damaged due to the ashfall in various towns in the province.
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