Residents evacuated as Bulusan erupts anew
Around 202 individuals, or 59 families, in Sorsogon have evacuated following the eruption of Bulusan volcano on Monday, an official said on Wednesday.
In a phone interview, Provincial Information Officer Salvador J. Mendoza Jr. said 91 individuals, or 25 families, are currently taking shelter at the Irosin National Agency Center and Terminal (INACT) in Barangay San Pedro.
Meanwhile, 111 individuals, or 34 families, are staying at Galianosa National High School.
This is following Bulusan’s phreatic eruption on Monday morning and a subsequent one on Tuesday evening at 7:43 pm.
Mr. Mendoza said the provincial government has started distributing food packs and other necessities to the evacuees with the help of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Following the eruption, videos of ashfall near the volcano circulated online, showing zero visibility on some roads in the province.
In a statement, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said ashfall, considered significant at approximately one centimeter thick, was reported in the municipalities of Irosin, Juban, and Bulan.
Mr. Mendoza said cleanup operations have been ongoing after the onset of the ashfall.
“So pagkatapos po ng ashfall nga, agad-agad po tayong nagsagawa ng flushing along Maharlika Highway. Sakop ng tatlong barangay kung saan malaki po ang naitalang bagsak ng abo mula sa Bulkang Bulusan [After the ashfall, flushing of Maharlika Highway was immediately done. The heavy ashfall affected three barangays,” he furthered.
“Wala na yung mga ash debris kung titingnan mo ngayong umaga [The ash debris is no longer there this morning].”
In a situational report from PHIVOLCS on Wednesday, one ash emission event lasting six minutes was reported on Tuesday.
PHIVOLCS still recommends avoiding entry into the 4-kilometer permanent danger zone and reminds the public of the volcano’s potential for sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
Mr. Mendoza also reminded residents to continue cooperating with the authorities.
“Patuloy na makinig sa abiso ng mga otoridad. Huwag maging matigas ang ulo. Kung kailangang pumunta sa evacuation center, huwag nang magdalawang-isip [Continue monitoring advisories from the authorities. Don’t be stubborn. If you need to go to an evacuation center, don’t think twice about it],” he said.
Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Bulusan Volcano. – Edg Adrian A. Eva
