ILOILO – While the possibility of Kanlaon Volcano’s ashfall from Negros Island reaching Iloilo province is low, Provincial Agriculture Office chief Dr. Ildefonso Toledo warned that the emissions could harm human health and green leafy vegetables, including rice plants.
“Green plants have structures called stomata on their leaves through which they produce food via photosynthesis. If these get covered by ash or dust, it will limit their ability to manufacture food, potentially killing the plants,” Toledo explained.
Kanlaon Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the country, erupted on Monday night, June 3.
All kinds of green leafy vegetables, including rice, are highly vulnerable to ashfall, said Toledo.
He further explained that volcanic ash contains sulfur, a type of acid that poses risks when inhaled by humans or other living things.
Volcanic ash is different from normal ash from burnt wood or leaves, which can be used as fertilizer, he clarified.
According to the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), sulfuric odor from Kanlaon Volcano, which erupted on Monday night, June 3, has reached barangays Ilihan and Busay in Bago City; barangays Sum-ag, Taculing, Mansilingan, Handumanan, Felisa, Sangcang Airport, Alijis, Bata, Taytay, 11, 27, 31, 38, Esfefania, Mandalagan, Tangub, Montevista, Vista Alegre, Banago, and Granada in Bacolod City; barangays Ara-al, Guintubdan, and Yubo in La Carlota City; barangays Robles and Masulog in La Castellana; barangays Lopez Jaena and Minoyan in Murcia; and Barangay Masulong in Canlaon City.
Meanwhile, ashfall has been reported in Ilijan and Mailum in Bago City; Ara-al, Guintubdan, and Yubo in La Carlota City; barangays Robles and Masulog in La Castellana; and barangay Masulog and Pula in Canlaon City.
Rumbling sounds were also observed in Guintubdan in La Carlota City; Masulong in La Castellana; and Masulong and Pula in Canlaon City.
DOST-PHIVOLCS’ monitoring on June 4 recorded 53 volcanic earthquakes, 4,133 tons of sulfur dioxide flux, plumes reaching 2,000 meters high, and ground deformation.
Kanlaon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2, with strict prohibitions against entry within the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). Affected barangays within Kanlaon’s PDZ include Ara-al and Yubo in La Carlota City; Sag-ang, Mansalanao, Cabagnaan, and Biaknabato in La Castellana; Minoyan in Murcia; Pula and Lumapao in Canlaon City; and Codcod in San Carlos City.
Civil aviation authorities have been advised, too, to warn aircraft to avoid flying close to Kanlaon’s summit./PN
