The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Island is on alert to assist local government units (LGU) and other concerned agencies in ensuring the public’s safety following the eruption of Mount Kanlaon.
In a statement on Tuesday, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the Western Visayas District was tasked by their Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, to prepare its deployable response groups (DRG) and rescue assets for immediate dispatch.
“Our vessels and aerial assets at the national headquarters here in Manila are now on standby for possible augmentation,” Balilo said.
Quick response teams from other PCG districts in Visayas and Mindanao have also been mobilized to aid in ongoing operations.
“We are in constant communication with our regional counterpart in Negros Island to make sure that the PCG can provide immediate assistance to the affected residential communities,” he said.
In addition, he said the PCG Auxiliary is also preparing resources and manpower to conduct humanitarian missions.
On Monday night, Mt. Kanlaon had a phreatic eruption that lasted for six minutes, resulting in a 5,000-meter high plume.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised Alert Level 2 due to increased volcanic earthquakes, steam and gas emissions, and ground deformation.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas has since ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents living within three meters of the river downstream of the volcano. (PNA)