Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has instructed the agency’s Disaster Response Management Group to expedite the augmentation of food pack stockpiles in its field offices across Western Visayas and Central Visayas in preparation for a possible eruption of Kanlaon Volcano.
Gatchalian said additional food packs are expected to arrive by Sunday, Jan. 12.
DSWD aims to preposition 100,000 boxes of family food packs, particularly in Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, due to increasing concerns over another eruption.
Kanlaon Volcano had erupted twice in 2024–on June 3 and Dec. 9.
“We will massively send FFP (family food pack) stockpiles to Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental starting Sunday. We will fill our provincial warehouses on the island to the brim,” Gatchalian said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned on Saturday, Jan. 11 that pressure is building inside Kanlaon Volcano, which could lead to an eruption similar to the one on Dec. 9.
Gatchalian also has set a target to deliver 40,000 boxes of food packs each to Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental by Monday. Jan. 13, in addition to the current stockpiles.
Kanlaon ‘continuously degassing’
Phivolcs on Sunday said Kanlaon Volcano had 14 volcanic earthquakes, including two weak tremors that lasted from 50 minutes to an hour and 57 minutes, in the past 24 hours.
The volcano’s “continuous degassing” has produced a “moderate” plume that reached 100 meters above the summit crater before drifting southwest.
Sulfur dioxide emissions on Jan. 11 were measured at 3,511 tons, which is considered elevated.
Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 3 for Kanlaon Volcano due to ongoing “magmatic unrest.”
Nearby communities are warned of the potential for sudden explosive eruptions, lava flows or effusion, ashfall, pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfalls, and lahar flows, especially during heavy rainfall.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2024/12/31/kanlaon-volcano-shakes-2024