Local government units in Albay have begun the systematic evacuation of residents following the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology’s (Phivolcs) decision to raise Mayon Volcano’s status to Alert Level 3.
The alert level was adjusted Thursday after monitoring equipment detected an increase in rockfall events and the presence of a growing lava dome at the crater.
According to Phivolcs, these indicators suggest a relatively high level of unrest and the potential for a hazardous eruption within weeks or days.
The provincial government has focused its immediate response on the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone.
Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman issued a directive for the mandatory evacuation of all inhabitants within this perimeter to ensure public safety.
In the municipality of Camalig, Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. reported that approximately 1,400 families from high-risk barangays, including Sua and Tumpa, are being moved to designated shelters.
In Guinobatan, Mayor Paul Chino Garcia confirmed that roughly 2,000 residents are being processed for relocation to evacuation centers in Barangay Mauraro.
Phivolcs reported that the rockfalls are the result of unstable volcanic materials collapsing from the summit. These fragments are currently shedding toward the southern gullies.
While the activity is visible from nearby towns, experts emphasize that the current movements are part of a trend of increasing volcanic pressure.
In response to these conditions, all quarrying operations within a 7-kilometer radius have been suspended to prevent accidents.
Aviation authorities have also advised pilots to avoid flying near the summit due to the risk of sudden ash emissions that could damage aircraft engines.
Local police and disaster officials have also been deployed to ensure no unauthorized personnel enter the permanent danger zone for any reason.
The provincial social welfare office has begun the distribution of food packs and the setup of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools and centers serving as temporary housing.
Disaster officials are currently preparing for a potential 90-day displacement period, a standard planning window for Mayon’s eruptive cycles.
The provincial government continues to monitor the situation closely, noting that an escalation to Alert Level 4 would necessitate expanding the evacuation to the 7-kilometer extended danger zone.