About 29 flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been canceled due to the eruption of the Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, the Manila International Airport Authority reported Tuesday.
The flights are:
Cebu Pacific (5J)5J 473/474 Manila-Bacolod-Manila5J 451/452 Manila-Iloilo-Manila5J 453/454 Manila-Iloilo-Manila5J 476 Bacolod-Manila5J 464 Iloilo-Manila5J 454 Iloilo-Manila
AirAsia (Z2)Z2 761/762 Manila-Cebu-ManilaZ2 603/604 Manila-Bacolod-ManilaZ2 306/307 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
PAL Express (2P)2P 2841/2842 Manila-Cebu-Manila2P 2139/2140 Manila-Iloilo-Manila2P 2129/2130 Manila-Bacolod-Manila2P 2131/2132 Manila-Bacolod-Manila2P 2141/2142 Manila-Iloilo-Manila2P 2905/2906 Manila-San Jose, Antique-Manila2P 2835 Manila-Cebu2P 2836 Cebu-Manila
On Monday night, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert level of Mt. Kanlaon from Level 1 to Level 2 due to an explosive eruption that lasted 6 minutes.
"Explosive volcanic eruptions occur when volcanic gas expands quickly. When the pressure is too high, gases are released suddenly, causing a powerful explosion that blasts out ash, gas, and lava," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said.
Aviation authorities were told to advise pilots to avoid flying near the volcano's summit as ejecta from sudden phreatic eruptions could be hazardous.
Ensure efficient response
In a Facebook post Monday night, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered the stockpiling of family food packs (FFPs) in response to Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption.
Gatchalian said he is in constant coordination with the regional directors of DSWD 6 (Western Visayas) and DSWD 7 (Central Visayas), as well as with local government unit officials to ensure the department’s efficient response for all those affected by the eruption.
The DSWD Mobile Command Center (MCC) truck of DSWD-7 is online and ready to mobilize to Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on Tuesday.
The DSWD MCCs are equipped with state-of-the-art satellite Internet, large power banks, and two sets of generators that can be used as a source of power supply and Internet connection for communities in disaster areas.
Gatchalian is scheduled to check the situation in the areas affected by the volcano eruption on Tuesday. PNA