LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - Gov. Noel Rosal ordered the immediate pre-emptive evacuation of residents living within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s raised the volcano’s alert status from two to three at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
In an advisory released by the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), Rosal said the pre-emptive evacuation takes effect immediately and covers all communities located inside the danger zone.
APSEMO chief Roderick Mendoza said local government units are conducting evacuation operations.
He noted that the municipalities of Malilipot and the City of Tabaco are among those actively implementing evacuations. Authorities are aiming to move around 700 families, or an estimated 2,889 individuals, from six municipalities and cities threatened by a possible eruption.
Based on APSEMO records, in Tabaco City, the barangays of Buang, Magapo, and Buhian fall within the PDZ, with about 312 families or 1,181 individuals needing evacuation.
In the town of Malilipot, the barangays of Canaway, San Roque, and Calbayog account for 287 families or 1,193 individuals.
Other affected areas include Barangay Miisi in Daraga, with one family requiring evacuation; Barangays Anoling, Sua, and Quirangay in Camalig, involving 100 families or 407 individuals; Barangays Baligang in Ligao City, with 25 families or 91 individuals, and Barangays Muladbucad Grande, four families or 16 individuals.
Rosal directed all city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices to conduct 24-hour monitoring and submit regular situation reports to APSEMO.
Classes on all levels, public and private, within the PDZ have been suspended and shifted to online learning.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) was instructed to strictly guard access points leading to the PDZ, as authorities reiterated that all forms of activity inside the danger zone are strictly prohibited.
In addition, the no-fly zone directly above Mayon Volcano will be more strictly enforced as the alert level remains at three.