Restive Mayon Volcano continues to shed pyroclastic density currents (PDC), locally known as “uson,” and rockfalls down its Mi-isi, Bonga, and Basud gullies, forcing 1,508 families in 14 barangays to seek safety, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Wednesday., Jan. 21.

Phivolcs said incandescent PDCs and rockfalls “continue to be shed” from the volcano as seismic and infrasound signals indicate episodic minor Strombolian activity, a type of eruption involving small but explosive bursts of lava from the summit.

Based on 24-hour monitoring from 12 a.m. on Jan. 20 to 12 a.m. on January 21, Phivolcs recorded continuous lava dome and lava flow effusion, 273 rockfall events, 83 volcanic earthquakes, and 61 PDCs.

Moderate emissions generated a 500-meter-high plume drifting northeast then east-southeast, while sulfur dioxide emissions reached 1,973 tons.

Mayon remains under Alert Level 3, indicating that hazardous eruptions could occur.

Phivolcs reminded residents that entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited, while venturing into the extended danger zone requires heightened vigilance.

Even light ashfall may pose health risks and reduce visibility on roads, and aircraft are barred from flying near the volcano due to volcanic ash and debris.

Phivolcs also pointed out that Mayon’s volcanic hazards include rockfalls, landslides or avalanches, lava flows, ballistic fragments, lava fountaining, moderate-sized explosions, PDCs, and lahars during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has provided P12,809,125.85 in humanitarian aid to affected families as of Jan. 21.

DSWD-Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao assured the public that relief operations remain uninterrupted.

Of the affected families, 1,114 families or 4,092 individuals are staying in 12 open evacuation centers, while others living with relatives are also being assisted by social workers.

To date, DSWD has a quick response fund amounting to P3,042,727,296.32 and standby food and non-food items worth P3,337,914,907.86, bringing total available resources to P6,380,642,204.18 for sustained response operations.