Mountain climbing and camping activities at Mt. Kanlaon are closed to the public in the light of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology declaration of Alert Level Number 1, Julie Rex Molavin, Protected Area Superintendent, said yesterday.

The provincial government has set aside a budget for guards at Mt. Kanlaon over Holy Week to prevent entry if PHIVOLCS says it will endanger lives, Acting Gov. Isidro Zayco said.

The park will be open again for mountaineering when PHIVOLCS issues an advisory that alert level 1 has been downgraded to 0, Molavin said.

Alert Level 1 means that the volcano is at slightly elevated unrest and volcanic activity could lead to steam and ash ejection, PHIVOLCS said.

The public is strongly advised not to enter the four kilometer Permanent Danger Zone because sudden explosions may occur without warning, it said.

Residents of areas beyond the Permanent Danger Zone that are downwind of the crater are likely to be affected by ashfall during explosions, it added.

The situation is improving at Mt. Kanlaon but PHIVOLCS is still monitoring the situation, Zayco said.

We also have rescue teams in place for any untoward incident, he said.*CPG

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