OCD gears up for another Mt. Kanlaon eruption

ASH EMISSION Mt. Kanlaon, which remains under alert level 3, continues to emit ash as seen from La Castellana town, Negros Occidental on Dec. 28, 2024 — PHOTO COURTESY OF JERICK RECAPLAZA

MANILA, Philippines — In preparation for another eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, the Office of the Civil Defense’s (OCD) task force will mobilize law enforcement agencies and other concerned agencies to ensure the safety of affected residents.

According to the OCD, the Regional Task Force Kanlaon convened on Monday to discuss the safety, security, and protection of internally displaced persons in evacuation centers and the adverse effects of ashfall on agricultural produce.

READ: Fever, respiratory illnesses hound some Kanlaon evacuees

“To address the identified challenges, the task force outlined several action items. The Philippine National Police will conduct nighttime foot patrols around various camps to ensure safety and security. Additional deployment of uniformed personnel will be made in La Castellana to bolster security measures,” OCD’s Tuesday statement read.

“The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development will assess the safety of agricultural products intended for consumption in evacuation centers. Coordination with PNP Negros Oriental is also essential for managing entry points to the 6-kilometer EDZ (expanded danger zone) effectively,” it added.

Based on reports, Mt. Kanlaon continues to display intensified magmatic unrest over the weekend following its eruption last December 9.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology earlier reminded the public that residents within the six-kilometer radius of the summit crater must remain evacuated due to the danger of pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles and ashfall, lava flows, and rockfalls among others.