Lahar flowed in Barangay Biaknabato, La Castellana town, Negros Occidental at around 2 p.m. on June 5, 2024.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the mudflow is a result of the rain on that day.

Rainwater washed out deposits of ash fall in the river, overflowed the riverbank, and flowed on to the road.

“Ang mga na-deposit kumbaga na ash fragments during the eruption noong June 3, syempre nag-settle na sya sa flank ng ating volcano. Then, malakas ang ulan lalo na sa southern part ng ating volcano, so na-wash out ang mga deposit,” Engr. Mari Andylene Quintia, resident volcanologist of Kanlaon Volcano Observatory, said.

Parts of the road in the said barangay were closed to motorists to prevent untoward incidents.

As of posting time, PHIVOLCS could not determine yet as to how long the said condition would prevail. Residents near the river have been advised to be vigilant and to stay away from the river if need be.

Alert Level 2 is still hoisted over Mount Kanlaon since a phreatic eruption occurred on June 3, 2024.

Further, La Castellana is placed under a state of calamity due to the impact of the eruption. The Local Government Unit (LGU) is set to utilize its calamity fund worth P4.8 million to extend assistance to affected residents.

16 AFFECTED BARANGAYS

Three barangays in Bago City, three in La Carlota City, eight in La Castellana, and one each in Moises Padilla and in Pontevedra have been affected by the phreatic eruption. The data is based on an aerial inspection of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 6 along with Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Water supply is on top of the concerns of affected residents.

“As of now kailangan nila ng tubig. Yun ang urgent natin. And we already requested for that and even for possible deployment of mobile water filtration. Right now, our office is doing inventory or asking for municipalities na meron pong ganyan na pwede tayo makahiram and then ma-i-deploy natin sa Negros Occidental,” according to OCD 6 Director Raul Fernandez.

OCD 6 is gathering information on the number of persons living within the 4-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.

The agency is preparing for additional face masks to be distributed to residents.

OCD 6 called on individuals and organizations interested in extending help to coordinate with the LGUs.

SITUATION IN CANLAON CITY

In Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, business goes on despite a declaration of a state of calamity after the phreatic eruption.

For example, sale of vegetables and fruits at a commercial trading post in the city continues.

Vendors said they have not raised the prices of their wares despite the situation. Residents near the volcano were observed to have bought an ample supply of vegetables fearing a decline in supply should the volcano erupt again.

Over 300 evacuees in the city received food packs from GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Esmeralda Estelota, a beneficiary, thanked GMA Kapuso Foundation for the immediate help.

“Salamat sa GMA sa tulong sa akin. Maraming salamat talaga,” she said.