The danger zone around Mayon has been extended to seven kilometers due to the volcano’s increasing unrest, the Albay provincial government said Monday.
In an advisory issued by Albay Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman, the provincial government said that to ensure public safety and to sustain zero casualties, all residents inside the seven-kilometer extended danger zone were placed under preparedness status and will be evacuated at any time.
Mayon Volcano remained on Alert Level 3 after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised its alert level status last June 8.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol urged the public—even those outside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone — to prepare for evacuation.
He said Phivolcs would not raise Mayon Volcano’s alert status to Level 4 “for now.”
Phivolcs recorded 21 volcanic earthquakes, 260 rockfall events, and three pyroclastic density current events as of Monday at 5 a.m.
A fair crater glow also remained visible to the naked eye, while its edifice was inflated.
The volcano emitted 642 tons of sulfur dioxide on Sunday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday reported that 14,000 residents have been evacuated due to Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest.
The NDRRMC said 13,792 individuals or 3,782 families were taking shelter in 22 evacuation centers while 584 people or 156 families were staying somewhere else.
Of the displaced families, 883 were from Camalig, 57 were from Ligao, 615 were from Daraga,
The government has allotted P20.1 million worth of assistance to Region V.
Meanwhile, the Philippines National Police (PNP) said 800 of its personnel were deployed in different evacuation centers and areas in Albay as it strengthened its emergency response unit amid Mayon’s activities.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said a Reactionary Standby Support Force is also available in case more policemen are needed.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday sent more advisories to flight operators to avoid flying close to Mayon, Taal, and Kanlaon volcanoes.
“Flight operations are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” the CAAP said.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the Bicol International Airport was operating normally as of Monday, with no flight cancellations as a result of Mayon’s activity.
In other developments:
* The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government donated 50 tons of assorted food items for families affected by Mount Mayon’s eruption. The food shipment on board an Etihad Airways plane arrived early morning Monday at the Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “We thank the UAE government and the Royal family for their generosity in sending the much-needed humanitarian aid for those affected by Mayon’s volcanic activities,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said. UAE Ambassador to the Philippines Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi had requested humanitarian aid from his government amid the forced evacuations in Albay province. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan immediately ordered the shipment to the Philippines within 24 hours.
* Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the Tingog party-list, and Gatchalian for facilitating the release of P33 million worth of in cash and in-kind assistance to the province of Albay. “I thank Speaker Martin Romualdez and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian for ensuring the timely assistance to evacuees and other affected families in the wake of Mayon’s volcanic outbursts,” Lagman said in a statement. “The people of the First District of Albay join me in expressing our deep appreciation for their prompt and generous assistance in our time of need.” Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre said on Sunday that P1 million worth of assistance was allocated to each of the three districts of Albay. These affected areas are the 1st District, under Rep. Edcel Lagman; 2nd District, under Rep. Joey Salceda; and 3rd District, under Rep. Fernando Cabredo. The assistance from the Speaker’s office will be coursed through their respective offices.