By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Bago City, Negros Occidental, has regulated and discouraged night events due to the potential escalation of activity at Kanlaon Volcano.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo issued an executive order on Jan. 17, highlighting that night events, which typically draw large crowds, pose higher risks for mass casualties and logistical challenges in the event of a volcanic eruption or associated hazards such as pyroclastic flows and ashfall.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), during its first-quarter meeting on Jan. 6, adopted Resolution No. 2025-02, discouraging and regulating nighttime events as a proactive measure.
Yulo emphasized that the regulation is part of the city’s preventive efforts to safeguard public safety and well-being.
Bago City’s 59th Charter Anniversary, scheduled from Feb. 5 to 19, 2025, will feature simplified and scaled-down activities due to the potential volcanic threat. Barangay fiestas and other events are also encouraged to avoid nighttime activities.
For regulated night events that receive approval, organizers must submit a comprehensive contingency plan. This plan must include emergency protocols, evacuation procedures, and coordination mechanisms with local authorities in case of an eruption.
Event organizers are also required to provide an undertaking to assume full responsibility for attendee safety, including appropriate logistics and equipment to manage public welfare during an eruption. Additional requirements may be prescribed by the CDRRMO and the Office of the City Mayor for faster assessment and approval.
The executive order cited a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) report indicating increased volcanic activity at Kanlaon Volcano. The report signals the possibility of escalation to Alert Level 4, which warns of imminent and hazardous eruptions.
The declaration of Alert Level 4 signifies a high likelihood of hazardous eruptions, posing significant risks to public safety, especially at night when reduced visibility hampers emergency responses.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and avoid non-essential activities, particularly during nighttime, to prioritize safety.
Bago City is one of three local government units in Negros Occidental affected by ashfall from Kanlaon Volcano’s Dec. 9 eruption.