LESSER activity in the Mayon Volcano was recorded over the past 24 hours but “it is too early to say” that is has already calmed down, Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
In a television interview, Bacolcol said one volcanic earthquake, 221 rockfall events and one pyroclastic density current events were recorded by the Mayon Volcano Network over the past 24 hours.
He said from June 11 to 12, 21 volcanic earthquakes, 260 rockfall events and three pyroclastic density current events occurred.
“Hindi naman (It does not mean that it has already calmed down). Bumaba lang ‘yung mga parameters natin pero it’s still too early to say. That’s the reason why we have to look at this on a day-to-day basis,” Bacolcol said.
“It’s an effusive eruption o malumanay na pag-agos ng lava doon sa paanan ng bulkan o sa flanks ng volcano,” he added.
Bacolcol maintained that no one should be allowed within the extended seven kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mayon as earlier declared by the Albay Provincial Government to ensure the safety of the public.
The PDZ covers several villages in the towns of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Tabaco, Bacacay and Sto. Domingo and the cities of Ligao and Legazpi.
As of 8 a.m., the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 13, 811 individuals or 3,876 families were displaced due to Mayon’s unrest.
The government has already provided over P25 million worth of relief assistance to the affected population.
The province of Albay was placed under a state of calamity due to the threat posed by Mayon. (SunStar Philippines)