MAYON ON HEIGHTENED WATCH: Gov says 10K families face evac if 7-km PDZ expands

By RHAYDZ BARCIA

LEGAZPI CITY --- More than 10,000 families, or over 50,000 residents living around the foot of restive Mayon Volcano, may be evacuated if the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) expands the current 7-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), Albay Governor Noel Rosal said.

Rosal said the provincial government is preparing for the possibility, especially if Mayon’s alert level is raised from Level 3 to Level 4 in the coming days.

During a visit to Miisi Gully, a day after a major pyroclastic density current (PDC) collapse, Rosal noted that large volumes of volcanic material had reached areas as far as the “Green Lava,” a known ecotourism site in Legazpi City.

He reiterated that the 6-kilometer PDZ remains strictly off-limits, warning that powerful PDC events can occur anytime, similar to the May 2 incident—the strongest recorded so far this year—which affected wide areas in Daraga and Camalig.

The eruption triggered heavy ashfall across Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and Ligao City, killing livestock and damaging vast agricultural lands, including vegetable farms and coconut plantations.

Rosal said the Miisi Gully area has been heavily altered, with the “Green Lava” site nearly buried by volcanic debris. He declared the entire 6-kilometer radius a “no man’s land” for public safety.

He also commended residents for complying with restrictions, noting that casualties could have been severe had farmers been in their fields during the PDC event.

“We reiterate to the public to heed the no man’s land policy. Entering the danger zone is extremely risky as pyroclastic flows can happen anytime,” Rosal said.

Meanwhile, at least 129 barangays in Albay have been affected by ashfall, according to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo).

The towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, and Oas, along with Ligao City, were among the hardest hit, with 55,991 families or 195,363 individuals affected.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to provide food packs, face masks, and other aid to affected residents. Distribution has reached several barangays, prioritizing farmers whose livelihoods were severely impacted.

DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio assured that sufficient food and non-food supplies are prepositioned in the region, including over 300,000 family food packs.

The agency has also extended emergency cash assistance, with evacuees receiving financial aid to help meet basic and nutritional needs.

The aftermath of the ashfall caused by Mayon volcanic activity last weekend in several areas in Albay including Guinobatan town where 28,337 families were affected living in 44 barangays. (Photo courtesy of Lau)