Residents of several barangays in Bago City are facing water contamination issues following minor explosive eruptions from Kanlaon Volcano, which emitted significant ashfall over the weekend.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported two ash emission events on Saturday, with the first plume reaching 1,500 meters and drifting west-northwest.
The ashfall and sulfurous fumes heavily impacted nine barangays in Bago City, namely Mailum, Dulao, Ma-ao, Binubuhan, Abuanan, Antipuluan, Ilijan, Tabunan, and Bacong.
Dr. Merijene Ortizo, head of the Bago City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), confirmed that the ashfall and sulfur have contaminated open water sources, particularly in Barangay Mailum. This has forced residents to rely on potable water deliveries as their primary source of drinking water.
“The ashfall and sulfur have infiltrated our open water sources, making them unsafe for consumption,” Dr. Ortizo stated. “We are now prioritizing the delivery of clean water to affected residents.”
The corrosive nature of the volcanic ash and sulfur also poses a threat to rooftops in the affected areas.
Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) for Kanlaon Volcano, indicating that further ash emissions and even short-lived explosive eruptions are possible. The agency has observed ongoing inflation and deflation cycles in the volcano’s slopes, suggesting a pattern of unrest that could persist.
