President Ferdinand Marcos assured the government’s readiness to assist families displaced by a volcanic eruption of Mount Kanlaon.
According to the President, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian arrived in the Negros Island Region early in the day to oversee relief operations
“We are ready to support the families who have been evacuated outside the six-kilometer danger zone,” Mr. Marcos said, adding the Department of Budget and Management has committed the necessary resources.
Relief efforts are already underway, including the distribution of food packs and supplies to evacuation centers, according to the President.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are monitoring air quality near the eruption site.
Authorities are assessing the levels of toxic gases to determine if additional evacuations are necessary.
On Monday afternoon, Kanlaon Volcano was raised to Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest, following an explosive eruption on its summit.
“The eruption produced a voluminous plume that rapidly rose 3,000 meters above the vent and drifted west-southwest. Pyroclastic density currents descended the slopes on the general southeastern edifice based on IP (internet protocol) and thermal camera monitors,” Phivolcs said in its latest bulletin.
The Philippine Red Cross advised affected residents to wear masks to prevent respiratory issues from Kanlaon Volcano’s ash.