THE Provincial Government of Albay has extended the danger zone of Mayon Volcano to a seven-kilometer radius, from six, to ensure the safety of the public amid its "increasing unrest."
In an advisory, the Albay government said all individuals inside the extended danger zone are under preparedness status, which means they will be ordered to evacuate anytime.
It also ordered city, municipal and barangay disaster risk reduction and management offices to be alert for the implementation of evacuation.
Meanwhile, the Albay Police Provincial Office (PPO) urged farmers to coordinate with them for assistance in harvesting their crops.
“Sa lahat ng magsasaka na apektado ng pagputok ng Bulkang Mayon at mayroon pang mga pananim na kailangang anihin, na ipagbigay alam niyo lang po sa mga Police Assistance Desk sa mga Evacuation Center kung saan at kailan kayo mag-aani ng mga pananim upang kayo ay matulungan ng ating kapulisan at mapabilis ang pag ani ng mga tanim at mailigtas din sa anumang kapahamakan,” Albay PPO Colonel Jun Cunanan said in a statement.
(To all farmers affected by the eruption of Mount Mayon and who still have crops that need to be harvested, please inform the Police Assistance Desks at the Evacuation Centers of your location and the scheduled harvest dates. This will enable our police force to assist you and expedite the harvesting process while ensuring your safety from any potential danger.)
As of June 12, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said a total of 13,792 individuals or 3,782 families from the towns of Camalig, Ligao, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Tabaco were displaced due to the irregular activities of Mayon.
It said the government has provided P20.1 million worth of relief assistance to the affected population.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it also distributed more than 50,000 food packs in Albay since it was placed under a state of calamity.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said inside each relief pack were six kilos of rice, nine canned goods, coffee and oatmeal, which may last for 15 days.
He said the agency may distribute cash aid if the volcano’s unrest exceeds 45 days.
As of Monday, Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 of intensified or magmatic unrest with 21 volcanic earthquakes, 260 rockfall events and three pyroclastic density current events over the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, in a radio interview, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said that the recent activities of Mayon, Taal and Kanlaon volcanoes are isolated.
“Wala pong kaugnayan ‘yan. Independent and isolated po ‘yung activities nila. We have 24 active volcanoes and there's always this probability na two or three volcanoes pwedeng maging restless or maging restive sabay-sabay,” Bacolcol said.
(That is unrelated. Their activities are independent and isolated. We have 24 active volcanoes, and there is always a possibility that two or three volcanoes can become restless or restive at the same time.)
Phivolcs has placed Taal and Kanlaon volcanoes in Batangas and Negros Island, respectively, under Alert Level 1, which means low-level unrest.
Taal recorded 11 volcanic earthquakes, including seven volcanic tremors lasting three to five minutes, over the past 24 hours, while Kanlaon had two volcanic earthquakes. (SunStar Philippines)