Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 5) — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday raised Alert Level 1 over Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province due to phreatic eruption.
Meanwhile, the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said local authorities immediately responded to clear the roads in Juban and Irosin towns.
“Sa ating nakikita na maliit na pamamaga ng bulkan ay baka may pressure pa po dito kaya itinaas natin ang alert level from zero to Alert Level 1,” Phivolcs director Renato Solidum told CNN Philippines.
[Translation: We see a swelling at the volcano, so there could be pressure that’s why we have raised the alert level status from zero to one.]
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesperson Mark Timbal said “the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Irosin is preparing evacuation centers.” The NDRRMC is also coordinating with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Bicol.
“After the eruption, andun na kaagad ‘yung BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) for the cleanliness at tsaka inaayos ‘yung kalsada para maalis ‘yung abo na nandoon,” Sorsogon PDRRMO Action Officer Raden Dimaano told CNN Philippines.
Before the phreatic eruption, Philvocs recorded 77 volcanic earthquakes in the past 24 hours.
Phreatic eruption is a “steam-driven explosion that occurs when water beneath the ground or on the surface is directly heated by hot rocks or new volcanic deposits or indirectly by magma or magmatic gas,” Phivolcs explained.
Solidum advised the local government and the public not to enter the four-kilometer permanent danger zone.
“Huwag lumabas kung sakaling may pagbagsak ng abo at kung lalabas man ay dapat nakamask. Sasaraduhan ang mga pinto at bintana upang hindi pumasok ang abo,” he added.
[Translation: Avoid going outside if there is an ashfall, but if there’s a need to go out, wear a face mask. Close the doors and windows to prevent ashes from getting inside your houses.]
He also said Philvocs do not see the need to evacuate residents at the moment but stressed that the local government may decide to do so.
“Wala naman pong kailangang evacuation. Kung titignan natin, wala namang barangay na nasa loob ng danger zone. Kung hindi naman ganun kakapal at tumuloy (ang ashfall), ay kailangan lang silang mag-stay indoors, pumasok lang sa loob. Pwedeng magkaroon ng desisyon ang local government na mag-evacuate kung talagang may pagbagsak ng abo,” he said.
[Translation: There’s no need to evacuate. If we look at it, there are no barangays inside the danger zone. If volcanic ashes aren’t that thick, residents should just stay indoors. The local government may decide to evacuate them when there’s an ashfall.]
[Translation: After the eruption, the BFP immediately responded for the cleanliness and to remove ashes on the road.]
He added that the provincial government of Sorsogon is ready to respond should another eruption occur.
“We’re all set. Anything na possible na additional needs, wala pong problema,” he said.
[Translation: We’re all set. There will be no problem if there will be any additional needs.]
Dimaano said as of Sunday afternoon, the Bulusan Volcano was “clear already” as there were no eruptions that followed.
