DUMAGUETE CITY: As Mt. Kanlaon in northern Negros Island continues to emit volcanic ash over the past days, people with comorbidities are advised to wear masks, especially those in areas that are largely affected by these tiny particles. Dr. Cesar Antonio Ligo, a pulmonologist in this Negros Oriental capital, said Monday that wearing protective gear like face masks depends on the distance the ash can travel by air.

According to Philippines News Agency, the most vulnerable individuals, including the young, the elderly, and those with comorbidities, particularly lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, are at greater risk. Dr. Ligo’s explanation comes amid growing public concern over the effects of the volcano’s unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has described the recent ash events as ‘minor,’ despite alert warnings issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through SMS. Mariton Bornas, chief of the Phiv
olcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, advised communities experiencing ashfall to wear masks as a precautionary measure.

Negros residents have received emergency alerts via text message from the NDRRMC for two consecutive days, warning of potential ashfall. On Sunday, Phivolcs shared footage on Facebook depicting gray ash being released by continuous degassing from the Kanlaon Volcano summit crater, with plumes rising 300 meters above the crater and drifting southwest. The NDRRMC sent another warning on Monday regarding further ash emissions from the volcano.