Albay orders strict watch on activities in Mayon restricted zone

LEGAZPI, Philippines – The Albay provincial government on Tuesday, October 11, ordered local governments around Mayon Volcano to strictly enforce the prohibition on all activities within the restive volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).

Governor Noel Rosal also directed the barangay officials to account for families in the extended 7 to 8-kilometer danger zone so the province can assign evacuation camps should the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raise Mayon’s current Alert Level 2.

Paul Alanis, Phivolcs’s Bicol resident volcanologist warned of a potential pyroclastic collapse, noting Mayon’s growing and protruding lava dome. He said the lava dome has grown to 48,000 cubic meters from the 40,000 cubic meters recorded in 2019.

Rosal in a memorandum asked towns and cities, especially on the southern side of Mayon, to review their action plans for Alert Level 3 and start coordinating conferences with local Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) councils and local stakeholders.

Even under Alert Level 2, he said there is a threat of sediment-laden streamflows and lahar during prolonged and heavy rainfall reaching 40-60 mm/hour.

The governor asked local watch teams to prevent visitors, tourists, and locals from mountain climbing, orchid picking, hiking, camping, and other related recreational activities.

The areas under tight watch in the 6-kilometer PDZ are Barangay Lidong in Sto Domingo, upper areas of Padang, Buyuan, Matanag, Bonga and Mabinit in Legazpi City; Bañadero, Matnog, Salvacion, Misi and Malobago in Daraga; and Quirangay, Tumpa, Sua, Anoling and Tinubran in Camalig.

In Guinobatan town , the areas are  Maninila, Muladbucad Grande, Pequeno and Tadarora; Baligang and Amtic in Ligao City; Magapo, Buang and Buhian in Tabaco City; and Canaway, Calbayog, and upper San Roque in Malilipot town.

Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to preposition resources and prepare for possible evacuation and relief operations.

The DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio on Friday, October 14, said they have 31,092 family food packs and P5 million standby fund as part of its preparations for a possible eruption of Mayon. – Rappler.com