THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) yesterday said it has observed an increase in volcanic earthquakes quakes, pyroclastic density current events, and sulfur dioxide emission from the restive Mayon Volcano.
In a bulletin, Phivolcs said it recorded three volcanic quakes from 5 a.m Saturday to 5 a.m.
Sunday, one higher compared to the two volcanic quakes during the previous 24-hour monitoring period.
It said there were 11 pyroclastic density current events recorded from Saturday to Sunday, two higher compared to the previous.
Phivolcs also noted increase in sulfur dioxide emission which was measured at 1,004 tons, from 978 tons.
Meanwhile, the agency monitored 274 rockfall events, or six fewer than the 280 tons reported during the previous period.
“In the past 24-hour period, very slow effusion of lava from the summit crater of Mayon Volcano continued to feed lava flows and collapse debris on the Mi-isi (south) and Bonga (southeastern) gullies,” Phivolcs said.
“The lava flows have advanced to maximum lengths of 1,500 meters from the summit crater while collapse debris have deposited to 3,300 meters from the crater,” Phivolcs added in the bulletin.
Phivolcs said Mayon’s continuing degassing, from Saturday morning to yesterday morning, produced steam-laden plumes that rose 100 meters before drifting to the general west.
The volcano remains under Alert Level 3 (increased tendency towards hazardous eruption) which was declared on June 8, prompting the evacuation of residents inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.
Mayon Volcano Observatory resident volcanologist Paul Alanis maintained there is yet no need to raise Mayon’s alert status to Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) amid the fluctuations in the number volcanic earthquakes, rockfall and pyroclastic density current events, and sulfur dioxide emission, “although this could change anytime, depending on our observations and data that we gather.
Alanis, in a radio interview, also said Phivolcs has not gathered any data that will indicate an imminent explosive eruption of Mayon, similar to what happened in 2018.
The 2018 eruption of Mayon prompted the declaration of Alert Level 4. The event affected 23,705 families (90,742 individuals), including 17,308 families (66,486 individuals) who were displaced.
The current unrest of Mayon has affected 10,123 families (38,979 individuals) as of yesterday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. These included 5,792 displace families or 20,123 individuals displaced.
The NDRRMC also said P62.4 million in assistance has been provided to those affected, including nearly P22 million worth of family food packs.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said a 20-man team it sent to Albay last has provided potable drinking water to 1,129 families in Sto. Domingo town, particularly residents of barangays San Andres, Salvacion and Sitio Bical.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the team brought 60 solar water filtration units to supply water to evacuation centers.
Each filtration unit can generate 180 liters of clean water every hour.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said at least P46.5 million worth of assistance composed of family food packs and non-food relief items have been provided to 10,123 families (38,979 persons) in 26 are affected barangays.
PERMANENT EVACUATION CENTERS
Rep. Elizaldy Co (PL, Ako Bicol) and Joey Salceda of Albay urged the Senate to pass House Bill No. 7354, which seeks to establish evacuation centers in every city and municipality across the country.
They said the enactment of the House-approved measure is of paramount importance in safeguarding the lives and well-being of communities, stressing that the traditional practice of using public schools as evacuation centers “falls short in providing the necessary facilities to accommodate evacuees effectively.”
Co said that by “expeditiously” passing the bill, the Senate will “contribute to the establishment of a robust and effective disaster response framework in the Philippines.”
Salceda said the establishment of evacuation centers will greatly enhance the country’s “preparedness and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.”
Albay Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman last week said the province will discuss the permanent relocation of those inside the 6 km permanent danger zone (PDZ) after the crisis. Lagman, however, said a law needs to be enacted to allow the government to relocate families living within the PDZ.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesman Diego Mariano has said part of the national government’s long-term plan is to permanently relocate those living inside or near the PDZ.
Under HB 7354, the evacuation centers may also be used by victims of fire, and outbreak of diseases that present imminent danger to life and property.
An LGU included in the priority list is also allowed to improve schools or structures used as evacuation centers by making these compliant with the minimum requirements such as location and structural capacity. Under the bill, the LGU is also in charge of the operation, supervision, and management of evacuation centers. — With Ashzel Hachero, Jocelyn Montemayor and Wendell Vigilia
