By Rio N. Araja, Charles Dantes and Maricel V. Cruz
Mayon Volcano could have a “violent or more vigorous” eruption that can build up in just a matter of hours, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.
More than 37,000 residents or 9,500 families have been affected by the ongoing volcanic unrest, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said in his province alone, more than 33,000 residents may be forced to evacuate should Mayon Volcano be placed under Alert Level 4.
Paul Alanis, resident volcanologist at the Mayon Volcano Observatory, said the escalation from the “quiet eruptions, lava flows and small explosions” could happen very quickly.
“It is possible that it (the volcano) could turn violent or [have] what we call a more vigorous type of eruption,” he said.
“The behavior being exhibited by the volcano has happened before, not just in Mayon but also in Taal Volcano (in Batangas). We have to raise its alert level from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 in less than five hours,” Alanis said.
Mayon remains under alert level 3.
The volcano is still sending out lava flows “very quietly,” Alanis said, adding that the lava was moving very slowly down the slope about one kilometer from the crater.
Phivolcs said the volcano emitted 149 tons of sulfur dioxide on Wednesday, which is much lower than the recorded average of 500 tons daily.
“It is quite an anomaly since it is far below the average of the volcano’s emission of 500 tons a day which is low,” he said.
Other parameters have also kept the alert level at 3, he said.
“As of now, the sulfur dioxide is quite low, which could mean only two possibilities. One is that there’s really not much gas in the magma. That is why we have a very quiet type of eruption occurring. The other scenario is the possibility that the volcano is being blocked right now and that pressure is building up,” Alanis said.
He said Phivolcs is closely monitoring if the energy of the earthquake is high enough to signify an impending eruption.
“At the moment, the energy of the earthquake, not just the number, is quite low,” he added.
Mayon Volcano had 309 rockfall events and seven volcanic earthquakes.
In its latest advisory, Phivolcs said a “hazardous eruption” is possible within weeks or even days.
Mayon Volcano’s crater glow remained visible to the naked eye due to a very slow lava effusion from the summit.
According to the NDRRMC, the affected people were from 26 barangays in the Bicol Region.
More than 15,000 or 4,400 families from the total affected residents are staying in 22 evacuation centers while the remaining people are being sheltered outside by relatives and friends.
About P33.64 million worth of assistance has been sent to Region 5.
The aid consisted of dinner, distilled water in six-liter bottles, family food packs, hygiene kits, hot meals, family and modular tents, sleeping bags, and assorted other items.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection also placed 41 search and rescue teams on standby.
The Department of Health said it has recorded 35 cases of respiratory problems at the evacuation centers in Albay.
“As of June 13, there are reported 35 cases presenting with respiratory problems such as cough, colds and sore throat at the evacuation centers,” the DOH said in a statement Wednesday.
“However, the reported cases are not verified as adverse effects of sulfur dioxide and ashfall.”
The DOH assured the public that its personnel were on the ground and continuously monitoring the affected population.
The Department of Trade and Industry in Bicol (DTI-5) has warned business owners and traders against increasing the prices of basic commodities after the province was placed under a state of calamity due to Mt. Mayon’s volcanic activities.
Jocelyn Berango, DTI-5 regional information officer, said a memorandum was released on June 9 addressed to all wet markets, supermarkets, groceries, bakeries and water refilling stations, reminding them to follow the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7581 or the Price Act.
“The said circular shall serve as a warning that any violation of the Price Act shall be dealt with accordingly. Businessmen must not take advantage of the situation of the evacuees and other people affected,” she said in an interview Wednesday.
Berango said DTI’s Albay and regional offices have deployed teams to closely monitor stores’ compliance with the price freeze and ensure the availability of supply of basic necessities in the whole province.
“We are closely monitoring the price and supply of basic necessities in stores throughout the province of Albay,” she said.
Basic necessities under DTI’s jurisdiction are canned sardines, evaporated and condensed milk, coffee, laundry bar, detergent powder, candles, bread (Pinoy tasty and Pinoy pandesal), salt, bottled water (potable water in containers), and locally manufactured instant noodles.
DTI-5 is also encouraging consumers to report any irregularity, particularly on the prices of basic necessities.
Penalties for violation of the price freeze include a fine of P5,000 up to P1 million and/or imprisonment of one year up to 10 years.
Albay lawmakers thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez for their efforts in assisting the evacuees of the ongoing Mayon Volcano situation.
In separate statements Wednesday, Rep. Joey Salceda and Rep. Fernando Cabredo of Albay’s 2nd and 3rd district, respectively, thanked the officials for not leaving their constituents behind even as they continue to grapple with the restive volcano.