THE recent eruption of Taal Volcano will not affect Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.
This was stressed by Zeaphard Caelian, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Program, who said that Kanlaon’s alert level was lowered to alert level zero by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in 2019, citing the volcano’s “signs of normalcy.”
“Taal and Kanlaon have separate activities,” Caelian pointed out.
Canlaon is classified as the third active volcano in the Philippines.
The volcano is the highest point in Negros, as well as the whole Visayas, with an elevation of 2,465 meters above sea level.
Its latest eruption happened in 2006.
Earlier, acting Governor Jeffrey Ferrer alerted local government units (LGUs) surrounding Canlaon Volcano.
Ferrer said these LGUs have crisis management teams to immediately act in case the volcano erupts.
La Carlota City, La Castellana and Moises Padilla are located at the foot of Canlaon, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Taal Volcano remained on Alert Level 4 Tuesday, January 14, 2020, which means that hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.
The volcano has been erupting continuously characterized by magmatic and hydrovolcanic activity. Lava fountains generated 800-meter tall dark gray steam-laden plumes that drifted to the general southwest.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that operations partially resumed Monday, January 13.
In an advisory, Phivolcs said the volcano’s main crater has resumed blasting lava into the air that generated steam-laden plumes of up to two kilometers.
It reiterated that fine volcanic ash can cause irritation and breathing problems especially among the elderly and children. Long-term exposure may be harmful to respiratory health.
Affected populations were advised to avoid inhalation of ash and use N95-grade face masks or wet cloth, or towel when going outdoors.
Motorists were advised to drive with extreme caution as ash can cause poor visibility and, when wet, can make roads slippery. (With reports from SunStar Philippines)