Independence Day rites in Sorsogon canceled due to Bulusan phreatic eruption

LIGAO CITY — The commemoration of Independence Day at the Sorsogon provincial capitol was canceled on Sunday after Bulusan Volcano had another phreatic eruption at 3:37 a.m.

Day activities at the capitol will not push through since most of the attendees were placed on stand-by by the outgoing governor and Senator-elect Francis “Chiz” Escudero, said Sorsogon tourism officer Bobby Gigantone in a phone interview with Inquirer.

Gigantone said although the morning short program was canceled, the lighting of the facade at the provincial capitol will be done in the evening later.

Raden Dimaano, provincial disaster risk reduction management council officer, said clearing operations are being done in areas covered with ashfall as of Sunday morning.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Bulusan Volcano had another phreatic eruption at 3:37 a.m. that lasted for 18 minutes. Phivolcs also detected 136 volcanic earthquakes in the last 24 hours.

Escudero said ash fall affected villages in the towns of Juban, Casiguran, and Magallanes.

READ: Phivolcs raises Alert Level 1 over Mount Bulusan amid increased seismic activity

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