The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-6) has reported that air quality near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental remains within the “fair to good” index as of Dec. 14, 2024, ensuring safety for most residents.
Cliff Jefferson Escobar of the EMB-6 said Monday, Dec. 16, five monitoring stations have been established following the Dec. 9 eruption.
These include regular sites in Barangays Ara-al in La Carlota City and Robles in La Castellana, as well as temporary stations at evacuation centers in La Castellana Elementary School, Barangay Balingasag Sports Complex in Bago City, and Barangay Cubay in La Carlota.
“As of Dec. 14, our air quality results are within the fair to good quality index. They are still safe, however, in some stations, for sensitive communities and those who are sick, little precautions for them,” he said during a media forum.
The best air quality was recorded in Barangay Robles and the La Carlota evacuation center, while other stations reported fair conditions.
To enhance monitoring, real-time air quality sensors are being installed at the La Carlota evacuation center to measure particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon dioxide on an hourly basis.
The EMB central office has allocated P618,450 for year-long ambient air quality monitoring in the Mt. Kanlaon area.Perla Lena/PNA
