LEGAZPI CITY (Updated) -- State volcanologists spotted a "short and stubby lava flow" from the summit of Mayon Volcano in Albay early Sunday, signaling that an eruption could be imminent.
The lava flow occurred around 5 a.m., said Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who directly monitored the situation in Albay along with fellow Cabinet members.
The lava flow was "approximately 350 meters in length, slowly and quietly flowing down the eastern side of Bonga Gully along the southeast slope of Mayon Volcano," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) stated in its 10 a.m. Sunday bulletin.
Phivolcs resident volcanologist Eduardo Laguerta said that the present activity of Mayon can be compared to days before an explosion in 1986.
Laguerta noted that the lava flowing out of Mayon was “a major volcanic activity” that can guide them whether to raise the present alert level in the area.
“Magma has started to flow, albeit very viscous, but this is the start,” he said.
Mayon Volcano's seismic network recorded four volcanic earthquakes and one rockfall event during the last 24-hour observation period.
The institute reiterated that Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano.
Alert Level 3 means that Mayon's hazardous explosive eruption is possible within weeks, said Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum. The volcano did not show signs of activity prior to Sunday's cascade.
"It is recommended that the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the seven-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rock falls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows," Phivolcs said in its advisory.
Meanwhile, Roxas, together with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman and other government officials, distributed a total of 22,000 foods packs for the 12,000 families staying in various evacuation centers in Albay.
Each family food pack consists of six kilos of rice, eight canned goods and six packs of noodles.
The national and local government also provided other important necessities for the affected residents such as medicine, water containers, water purification tablets and hygiene kits, said Albay Governor Joey Salceda.
He said an additional 22,000 food packs will be prepared soon.
The National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council recorded a total of 12,931 affected families in 40 villages of Albay Province. (John Carlo Cahinhinan/Sunnex)