BACOLOD CITY — The gas emissions at Kanlaon Volcano have decreased but the possibility of eruption remains, Mari-Andylene Quintia, a resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) based in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, said on Monday.

Quintia said the volcano continues to emit sulfur dioxide at the summit crater but it has dropped from 5,397 tons, its highest recorded level on June 28, to 3,007 tons on July 1.

"The normal volcanic sulfur dioxide gas emission of Kanlaon is 300 tons a day, so 3,007 tons is still high," Quintia said.

"There were five volcanic earthquakes at Kanlaon and its volcanic edifice remains inflated," she added.

The volcano remains under Alert Level 2 or increased unrest

"A steam-driven or phreatic eruption or one similar to the June 3 eruption may still occur at Kanlaon because its magmatic gas level is still high," Quintia said.

"Entry into 4-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) at Kanlaon is strictly prohibited."

On July 1, Phivolcs recorded five volcanic quakes.

Quintia reiterated that there should be no inhabitants within the PDZ as the local government unit has allowed the return of some residents living just outside the PDZ.

John de Asis, head of La Castellana Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said that 39 residents or 116 individuals of Barangay Biak-na-Bato and Cabagnaan who live inside the PDZ are still staying in the town's evacuation center.

The La Castellana municipal government is studying the possibility of relocating the families outside the PDZ.

"It may take a longer time to relocate them," de Asis added.

Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan, meanwhile, is seeking the help of the national government for permanent relocation sites for these residents.

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