Residents in Cebu warned of potential acid rain; 10% of Toledo crops damaged

Local

AUTHORITIES across Cebu province are warning residents to prepare for possible acid rain as Mt. Kanlaon Volcano continues releasing elevated volumes of sulfur dioxide, two days after it underwent a moderate explosive eruption on July 9.

Air quality readings have returned to "good" levels as of Saturday morning, July 11. But officials said the threat is far from over.

Prevailing southwest winds, or habagat, are carrying volcanic gases across the region, raising the risk of acid rain when the emissions mix with incoming rainfall, the Environmental Management Bureau- Central Visayas (EMB-7) warned.

“Acid rain can cause mild skin irritation, damage backyard crops, and corrode exposed metal surfaces (like your roofing or vehicles),” they explained.

In response, Gov. Pamela Baricuatro urged the public to stay alert even as conditions ease.

"Magbinantayon gihapon ta, just like us here in the Province of Cebu, but please don't worry. We are here and actively monitoring the situation with our national agencies," Baricuatro said.

However, the threat isn't only airborne.

In Toledo City, the local Agriculture Office recorded a partial 10 percent crop damage rate across 11 upland barangays following the July 9 ashfall, affecting vegetables, rice and corn, according to Agriculture Office head Estrilla Bargamento.

Light rain after the eruption helped wash ash off some plants, said Toledo disaster response officer Alexander Dennis Abella, who noted the rain was a localized thunderstorm unrelated to Tropical Storm Inday (international name: Bavi).

The Toledo City Health Office, in a report from the city’s Public Information Office, also logged seven fever cases, one case of vomiting and three cases of mild cough tied to the ashfall, now under medical care.

Fortunately, no livestock or fisherfolk losses were reported in the city.

Mayor Marjorie Perales has ordered additional medical supplies procured in case of another ashfall event, and officials proposed volcanic eruption drills in schools and establishments.

Toledo's schools and government offices are set to resume normal operations Monday, July 13, after the city's environment office confirmed air quality had returned to normal.

Province-wide, all 16 Capitol-run hospitals remain on heightened alert, the Cebu Provincial Government reported.

The Provincial Veterinary Office is also monitoring livestock health, warning that poultry are especially vulnerable to respiratory illness.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in its latest volcano bulletin, covering observations from 12 a.m. to 12 a.m. July 11, recorded six volcanic earthquakes, only three of which had sufficient data for location.

Sulfur dioxide flux was measured at 679 tonnes per day, an increase from the 473 tonnes per day recorded on July 9.

Ground deformation data showed the volcano's edifice remains inflated.

Phivolcs also warned that sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, as well as precursory magmatic activity, remain possible hazards.(RBE)