LEGAZPI CITY – The Albay provincial government, through the Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), is closely monitoring a tropical storm expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend and be locally named ‘’Caloy.’’

In an interview Thursday, APSEMO chief Oscar Robert Cristobal said authorities are preparing for possible lahar flows due to volcanic deposits left by previous Mayon Volcano events.

Data presented during the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting showed that about 43,551 families, or 163,451 individuals from 130 barangays surrounding Mayon Volcano, could be affected by rain-induced lahar.

Areas identified as vulnerable include the municipalities of Malinao, Bacacay, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Libon, and the cities of Ligao, Legazpi, and Tabaco.

Among the areas with the highest projected number of affected residents are Tabaco City with 62,403 individuals, Malinao with 33,675, Guinobatan with 16,730, and Ligao City with 11,866.

“All towns surrounding the volcano are being considered, especially those within the Permanent Danger Zone, including areas affected by previous lahar flows and volcanic deposits that have accumulated since January, particularly after the May 2 pyroclastic density current incident,” he said.

Cristobal noted that the Pyroclastic Density Current recorded on May 2 may have altered gullies and channels around the volcano, making potential lahar paths more unpredictable.

“We cannot really determine which gullies and channels the lahar may pass through and which communities could be affected,” he said.

He said all local disaster risk reduction and management offices in the province remain on heightened alert as rains associated with the weather disturbance are expected.

“We continue to advise everyone to remain cautious,” Cristobal said.

Evacuation vehicles, equipment, and response personnel have also been placed on standby, particularly in communities near the foot of the volcano.

“All LGUs (local government units) around the volcano are preparing, while our equipment, manpower, the OCD, and all uniformed personnel are on alert in case lahar flows occur,” he said.

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Noel Rosal thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the immediate assistance extended to farmers affected by Mayon’s unrest.

“He immediately called for assistance and prioritized Albay. I’m very thankful,” Rosal said, referring to the President’s directive to prioritize aid for the province.

Rosal said the national government also committed additional aid through the Department of Labor and Employment’s TUPAD program on top of cash assistance for affected farmers.

He added that 6,411 farmers affected by volcanic activity will receive P10,200 each through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, with payout expected to begin Monday during the visit of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

The governor said the number of beneficiaries was expanded to cover more farmers whose livelihoods were damaged by ashfall and volcanic activity.