Mayon Volcano caused more rockfall events in Albay province, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Saturday.
PHIVOLCS said in its 8 a.m. bulletin it recorded 254 rockfall events, although this was lower than 284 observed a day earlier.
It said a very slow effusion of lava from the crater continued, reaching 2.23 kilometers along Mi-isi Gully and 1.3 km. at Bonga Gully.
The agency said it also recorded 65 volcanic earthquakes and 17 dome-collapse pyroclastic density current events or PDC.
Plume reached as high as 2,000 meters.
It said that based on ground deformation, “the volcano is swelling”.
The volcano spewed hot volcanic particles and gases Friday night, with ash fall reaching Tabaco City. The PDC lasted four minutes and traveled around 3 to 4 kilometers downslope, according to PHIVOLCS.
“Ashfall from the PDCs has been reported by residents of Tabaco City and recorded by the Mayon Resthouse IP camera,” it said.
Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda thanked Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian for additional food packs to be distributed in the province.
“It was announced that the DSWD has ordered that more food packs be delivered to Albay to support Mayon evacuation efforts and prepare for likely additional evacuations,” Salceda said.
“I thank Secretary Gatchalian, for once again being very proactive about Albay’s needs, especially as the rainy season could complicate our evacuation efforts and increase the population at risk due to lahar,” Salceda said.
Salceda, chair of the House committee on ways and means, said Gatchalian and the DSWD’s proactive efforts help Albayeños keep evacuees in place. “That keeps them safe,” Salceda said.
“Over the past few weeks he has shown himself to be a true friend of Albay. We will always remember his efforts with gratitude,” he said.
The 9th Civil Military Operation Battalion of the Philippine Army 9th Infantry Division, headed by Lt. Col. Genevee Dañas and volunteers from the Alpha Phi Omega Bicol Administrative Region on Saturday helped repack relief goods at the DSWD Regional Office Bogtong Warehouse in Legazpi City.
The DSWD Bicol Regional Office will proceed on Sunday with the distribution of family food packs to local government units across Albay province to help families displaced by the eruption of Mayon Volcano.