LEGASPI CITY (Updated) - The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Mount Mayon remains under Alert Level 3 despite the increase in seismic activity of the volcano in the past 24 hours.
Alert Level 3 means that Mayon's hazardous explosive eruption is possible within weeks, said Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum.
Rizza Villeza, science research specialist of the Phivolcs' Volcano Monitoring Division, advised Albay residents to avoid entering the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-kilometer extended danger zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank due to the continuing threat of rockfalls, landslides, and sudden explosions that may generate lava flow.
“We recommend no habitation within the PDZ and EDZ as the public should be aware and observe safety,” she said.
Villeza said the increasing number of volcanic tremors around the volcano clearly showed that Mayon continues to be on a heightened state of restiveness.
She added that the agency's seismic instruments detected 45 volcanic quakes and 277 rock fall events around the volcano between 7 a.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.
She said these high and low frequency tremors monitored by the instruments signified that magma has been intruding towards the surface that could lead to a large eruption.
The volcano released 750 tons of sulfur dioxide during the past 24-hour period, a reading which was above the normal base rate of 500 tons per day, Villeza said.
During a cloud break on Wednesday morning, Villeza said a moderate emission of white steam plumes was also observed. A bright (Intensity 3) crater glow has been visible since Tuesday evening.
Villeza also said the incandescent rockfall materials that started to roll down from the crater have reached the uppermost portion of Bonga gully, indicating that lava is breaching the dome of the crater on the southeastern side.
Albay Governor Joey Salceda earlier ordered the evacuation of up to 12,000 residents within an eight-kilometer (five-mile) radius of the volcano's crater.
Villagers within six kilometers (four miles) of the volcano, which the government has declared a permanent no-go danger zone, face mandatory evacuation.
At least 6,809 families or 31,903 individuals were already at 22 evacuation centers in four towns and two cities of Albay as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, said Salceda, quoting reports from the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office.
Salceda said the evacuees came from 27 villages in these local government units.
These are Guinobatan, 4 villages; Malilipot, 3; Camalig, 6; Daraga, 6; Ligao City, 4; and Tabaco City, 4.
The distribution of the evacuees are as follows: Guinobatan, 1,144 families (5,933) persons; Malilipot, 716 families (2,950 persons); Camalig, 2,286 families (11,875 persons); Daraga, 1,869 families (7,476 persons); Ligao City, 334 families (1,825 persons); and Tabaco City, 460 families (1,844 persons).
Salceda said they have already started distributing rice and other provisions for the evacuees.
“Since what make the farmers keep on going back to their residents are the animals they are tending, we are also evacuating these creatures and we have to budget P3 per head per day for the evacuation so residents will have no alibi to go home or not to cooperate with the evacuation,” the governor said.
The Mayon volcano has erupted 50 times in the last 500 years, sometimes violently, endangering thousands of poor villagers who insist on living or farming in the government-declared permanent danger zone.
Villagers living near the volcano have erected huge white crosses at the entrance of their neighborhoods, hoping they will protect them from harm.
On May 7, 2013, the volcano suddenly spewed ash, killing five climbers, including three Germans, who had ventured near the summit despite warnings of possible danger. (PNA/Sunnex)