Ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano eruption reached Iloilo, Guimaras

Ashfall from the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island has reached the provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras, according to a report on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

In Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, student athletes took shelter in tents as the ashfall halted the opening ceremony of an interschool sports activity, GMA Regional TV’s Aileen Pedreso reported.

Meanwhile in Tagbauan, Iloilo, ash also covered some parked vehicles.

Many residents in Negros Occidental evacuated their homes and stayed in some schools due to the activity of Kanlaon Volcano. In La Castellana town, six campuses were used as evacuation centers.

One of the evacuees, Mary Ann Delfania, said she witnessed the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano and described the experience as frightening.

“Nakakatakot talaga. Ni-nerbyos talaga ako. Parang umapoy siya at may kasama pang mga bato. Iba talaga,"  she said.

(It's really scary. I was really nervous. It seemed to be on fire and there were rocks. It's really different)

Some of the evacuees had to leave their livelihood in the fields to save their family from the hazards of the explosion.

Around 87,000 individuals are set to be evacuated, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday.

Some of the residents fell sick due to the thick ash and dust from Kanlaon Volcano’s eruption.

The Department of Health (DOH) advised affected residents to wear masks and clothes with long sleeves to protect themselves from these hazards.

They are also advised to close the doors and windows of their houses, take their animals inside their pens, and wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.

--VAL, GMA Integrated News