LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines: Phivolcs not lowering Mayon alert level

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Mayon Volcano’s alert level cannot be lowered even though there has been no strong activity in the past few days, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

“The eruption continues….although the…eruption slowed down,” Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said yesterday.

Solidum said the volcano has extruded around 77 million cubic meters of volcanic  materials, which is closer to the estimated volume in the magma chamber.

“I wish the magma will not move toward the crater. If this happens, the eruption of Mayon will be completed,” he said.

Phivolcs conducted an aerial survey of the volcano on Friday to determine where lava, ash, lahar and other volcanic materials had flowed.

“The aim is to come up with a digital elevation model of the volcano’s eruption,” Solidum said.

Mayon’s activity in the past 24 hours was characterized by near-continuous lava fountaining, lava flow and degassing from the crater.

At least 76 volcanic earthquakes, most of which corresponded to lava fountaining, were recorded by Mayon’s seismic monitoring network.

Food packs

Arnel Garcia, Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol director, said 120,000 food packs are ready for distribution to evacuees.

“This will be enough to augment the food requirements of the evacuees…We will ensure that no evacuee will go hungry,” said Garcia.

There are at least 17,406 families or 66,486 persons in 57 evacuation centers across Albay.

Philippine Red Cross Chairman and Sen. Richard Gordon visited evacuees at the Guinobatan West Central School on Friday and led a drill on proper handwashing to prevent common ailments.

Gordon also checked the construction of latrines in the area.

Meanwhile, local health officials advised residents to use wet towel or t-shirts to cover their entire face, instead of surgical or dust masks to prevent inhalation of air with volcanic ash.

Health authorities have warned that ash particles could trigger respiratory problems  or skin diseases.  – With Cet Dematera, Rhodina Villanueva

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