The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has activated its Disaster Response Team in response to the volcanic unrest at Mt. Kanlaon, which erupted on Tuesday morning. The agency has also made available P4 million in funds for emergency supplies, aiming to mitigate the impact on the local sugar industry and support affected workers.
SRA administrator Pablo Azcona confirmed the activation of the response team, led by SRA board member David Sanson, emphasizing the agency’s readiness to protect employees and assist the community. “We’ve ordered the evacuation of our La Granja research facility in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, with only a skeleton crew of 20 personnel remaining to secure the establishment. Our vehicles are on standby to assist local government units as needed,” Azcona said.
The La Granja facility employs 187 people, including 40 field workers, who have been evacuated to ensure their safety. In the event of a more severe eruption, the SRA’s Bacolod office is prepared to serve as a temporary evacuation center for employees.
As of Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised Mt. Kanlaon’s alert status to Level 3, indicating magmatic unrest. The SRA is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of personnel and the continued support of local sugar farmers.
Sanson further assured that the SRA has relief supplies in place and is ready to deploy emergency resources if needed. “We are closely monitoring the situation and have set aside P4 million for procuring additional supplies if required,” he said.
The SRA has also expressed concern over the potential impact of volcanic ash on sugar crops. Following last year’s eruption, the agency reported that volcanic ash can damage sugarcane leaves, reducing their ability to photosynthesize and disrupting the soil, which can lead to decreased sugar yields.
The SRA’s ongoing efforts reflect its commitment to safeguarding both its workforce and the livelihoods of sugar farmers in the affected areas.
