POLICE secure a road to Mayon Volcano in Albay.
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — Several barangays surrounding Mayon Volcano have experienced ashfall, according to the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO).
APSEMO chief Roderick Mendoza said ashfall was first reported since Wednesday night in the town of Malilipot, followed by light ashfall early Thursday morning in Ligao City, Legazpi City, Santo Domingo, and other nearby areas around the volcano.
Helen Salvadora Ramirez, a resident of Purok 1, Barangay Lidong in Santo Domingo, said traces of volcanic ash were clearly visible on plants, windows, and other surfaces.
She warned that ashfall poses health risks, particularly to people with respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Ramirez added that residents have not yet heard rumbling sounds from the volcano, something they fear could signal a more dangerous phase of activity.
“Pag nangyari po 'yan (rumbling sounds) ibang usapan na po 'yan. Sure na may kasama na 'yan na mga bato na ibinubuga ng bulkan. Sana hindi na po 'yan mangyari,” she said.
Despite experiencing only ashfall so far, residents remain anxious even if they are accustomed to living with volcanic activity.
Ramirez said they are awaiting instructions from the local government on when evacuation may be necessary.
“Natatakot po kami kaya nga po naghihintay kami ng abiso ng lokal na pamahalaan kun kelan kami i-evacuate,” she explained.
At present, evacuations are limited to residents within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).
Based on records from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol, more than 900 families have already been evacuated since Mayon Volcano was raised to Alert Level 3.
Mendoza said that if the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raises the alert status to Alert Level 4, an estimated 19,758 families, or about 78,836 individuals, would need to be evacuated.
Government agencies are now preparing for possible escalation, including the pre-positioning of logistics for potential forced evacuations of residents within the seven- to eight-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ).
Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited Albay on Thursday to personally assess the situation of evacuees.
He ordered the augmentation of food packs for families affected by Mayon’s unrest.