Despite a decreasing state of unrest of Kanlaon Volcano, Mount Kanlaon in Negros Island has remained under Alert Level 2.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s latest bulletin said 53 volcanic quakes were recorded from 12 a.m. Tuesday to 12 a.m. Wednesday.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), more than 1,800 people have been evacuated from villages around the volcano.
The volcano continued to spew tons of sulfur dioxide days after an explosive eruption sent a five-kilometer plume of volcanic ash and rocks into the sky.
It spewed 4,113 tons of sulfur dioxide over a 24-hour period, Phivolcs said.
Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said the agency will continue to closely monitor Kanlaon Volcano for two weeks before Phivolc could come up with a decision to lower the alert level back to 1.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said they could not tell how long or how short would Kanlaon Volcano’s activity last.
Should Kanlaon Volcano maintain its current activity, “we will remain at Alert Level 2,” he said.