Manila, April 15 -- The Regional Task Force Kanlaon has reiterated the ban on pilgrimage or trekking to Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island and directed concerned local government units (LGUs) to place all responders on high alert during the observance of the Holy Week.

"Prohibition on any form of pilgrimage or trekking, especially entry into the six-kilometer extended danger zone is hereby reiterated," Office of Civil Defense-Western Visayas Regional Director Raul Fernandez said in a statement on Tuesday.

Fernandez, who also chairs Task Force (TF) Kanlaon, ordered the strict monitoring and restriction of Holy Week activities at the volcano in a memorandum addressed to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) council chairpersons and othe...