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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Protect cops from ashfall health hazards in Mayon, Kanlaon areas, PNP commanders told

Protect cops from ashfall health hazards in Mayon, Kanlaon areas, PNP commanders told

Published May 7, 2026 11:38 am

At A Glance

  • PhilSA earlier released a map showing that the May 2 Mayon Volcano ashfall covered at least 8,544 hectares in Albay.
  • Phivolcs said ashfall is a health hazard as it is composed of fragmented volcanic particles less than two millimeters in diameter.
ASHFALL from Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, Albay (Philippine Red Cross FB)
ASHFALL from Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, Albay (Philippine Red Cross FB)
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered the strict implementation of health safety measures for all frontline personnel manning checkpoints and other public safety response to protect them from respiratory risks posed by heavy volcanic ash and sulfur dioxide exposure due to Mayon and Kanlaon volcano activities.
Following the May 2 pyroclastic density current of the Mayon Volcano in Albay, Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island spewed ash plume as high as 800 meters which raised concerns on the health and well-being of frontliners.
“We have to look after the welfare of our personnel on the ground, especially those heavily-exposed to volcanic ash, being the frontliners of government response and assistance,” said Nartatez.
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has earlier released a map showing that the May 2 ashfall covered at least 8,544 hectares, or about half the size of Quezon City.
For its part. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said ashfall is a health hazard as it is composed of fragmented volcanic particles less than two millimeters in diameter.
Nartatez ordered regional commanders to provide high-filtration face masks and adequate hydration supplies to all ground units as he emphasized that operational effectiveness depended heavily on the physical well-being of the officers exposed to hazardous volcanic conditions.
Policemen are also among those who were tapped to clear roads in affected areas in Albay and while the task has been completed, volcanic ash and particles have not been totally removed.
Aside from road-clearing, police personnel were also tapped to secure entry points of danger zones and conduct checkpoints and other response that made them prone to ash inhalation on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, Nartatez also instructed police commanders to minimize delays for relief distribution as he explicitly prohibited local police chiefs from conducting unnecessary inspections on humanitarian convoys.
“I also directed our local police commanders to refrain from conducting unnecessary inspections and immediately allow the passage of emergency responders as well as vehicles containing relief items,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development previously prepositioned over 300,000 food and non-food items in Bicol Region intended for residents in Guinobatan and Camalig, Albay.

Related Tags

PNP Mayon Volcano Kanlaon Volcano ashfall
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