6 days ago
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BACOLOD CITY — The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of La Carlota City has recommended the banning of outdoor mass gatherings in the city as Kanlaon volcano has remained restive.
The DRRMC's recommendation to Mayor Rex Jalando-on on mass gatherings prohibition includes the city public plaza and the oval of the Doña Hortensia Salas Benedicto National High School.
The DRRMC arrived at a decision after convening at the City Social Hall on April 21.
The DRRMC said that gatherings when the volcano is still restless "can heighten community vulnerability and impede emergency response operations."
The council urged the public to wear face masks when outside of their homes.
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"Volcanic ash exposure can cause respiratory issues, eye and skin irritation, and other health risks, particularly in open or poorly ventilated areas," the recommendation also said.
The council said that "all activities at the City Gymnasiums and Oval are also canceled from April 26 onwards, as these will be prepared for possible evacuation."
The DRRMC cited a report by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) that the recent ash emissions and minor explosive eruption of Kanlaon volcano may be signs of an impending major eruption.
The annual Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City, which was supposed to kick off on April 21 and end on April 27, was postponed to a later date by Jalando-on.
As of April 23, Kanlaon volcano recorded seven earthquakes and emitted 2,369 tons of sulfur dioxide flux and 400 meters of plume, Phivolcs said.
