More than 600 people who were moved to evacuation centers as a result of the unrest in Mayon Volcano have sought medical attention for respiratory and other problems, disaster officials said Monday.
As of June 19, 10,146 families or 38,961 people from 26 barangays have been affected by Mayon’s volcanic activity. About 5,466 families or 18,892 people are in 28 evacuation centers, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
The top 10 leading causes for the consultations led by the Department of Health were coughs and colds (96 cases), fever (88), acute respiratory infection (75), headache (60 ), hypertension (33 ), dizziness (16), skin disease (15), abdominal pain (14), colds (13) and acute gastroenteritis (12).
NDRRMC spokesperson Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the DOH is considering setting up isolation rooms in each evacuation center to separate those with illnesses and help them recover.
Mayon Volcano is under alert level 3 due to its “intensified unrest” or magmatic unrest.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said no volcanic earthquakes were reported in nearby areas but it had 265 rockfall events, very slow lava flow, and five pyroclastic density current events in the last 24 hours.
The NDRRMC said the government has provided some P71.5 million to the families affected by the unrest in Mayon Volcano so far.
In its update Monday, the NDRRMC said the amount includes cash and other forms of assistance such as water, food, assorted tents, hygiene kits, and other items.
The Office of Civil Defense in the Bicol Region assured the public that Albay is still safe for tourists.
This was after the region’s Tourism department drew flak for posting a list of safe viewing sites for those who want to see the lava flow from the rumbling of Mayon.
Some social media users criticized the agency for promoting the so-called “disaster tourism” while thousands are being affected by the volcano’s eruption.
“Through dialogues with the different agencies including the Department of Tourism, the current status of Mayon does not need for any ban on tourism or suspension of tourism activities outside the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone,” Gremil Naz of OCD Bicol Region told ANC’s “Headstart.”
“Tourists are encouraged to view what is happening in Legazpi or other parts of Albay, but we recommend to utilize the viewing decks because we have viewing points situated on the different municipalities and cities in Albay.
The OCD earlier proposed turning the Mayon volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone into a national park, which would keep residents away from the area and reduce the need to evacuate them every time the volcano rumbles.
State volcanologists have said the rumbling could last for months.
With 265 rockfall events and very slow lava flow, Mayon Volcano in Albay continued to show intensified and magmatic unrest in the past 24 hours, Phivolcs said.
It also logged 889 metric tons of sulfur dioxide flux in the volcano during the 24-hour observation period.
While no volcanic earthquakes were recorded, there were five pyroclastic density current events.
The volcano also emitted moderate plumes rising up to 600 meters that drifted generally westward.
Taal Volcano and Kanlaon Volcano, meanwhile, remained under alert level 1 status, but Phivolcs is still keeping an eye out for possible increased unrest.
Also on Monday, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the People’s Republic of China for their assistance and donations intended for the communities affected by the recent unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay.
“These two nations have exemplified the true spirit of friendship and solidarity. Their assistance and donations have made a significant impact on the lives of the affected families in Albay, bringing them much-needed relief and hope,” said Pimentel in a statement.
The UAE donated 50 tons of relief and food supplies while China provided P4 million worth of rice for families evacuated due to Mayon Volcano’s unrest.