7,000 to be evacuated if Mayon activity heightens

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 7,000 people living near Mount Mayon would have to be evacuated should the volcano's abnormal activity escalates, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said. In the latest situational report on Mayon's activity issued on Saturday by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), Salceda said that 1,675 families or 6,996 persons will be evacuated from villages near the volcano once the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) hoists Alert Level 3 in the area. According to the report, the provincial government of Albay is "ready" to respond should Mayon's abnormal activities heighten. Based on Phivolcs' five-level alert system, Alert Level 3 is raised once there is "significant local eruption." Phivolcs research specialist Rudy Lacson told GMANews.TV that there are currently no signs of further volcanic activity that would raise Mayon' alert level. Three volcanic earthquakes were detected and a more "intense" glow at the crater were observed within the past 24 hours, but Lacson said these signs were "normal" for the volcano's current status. Lacson said Phivolcs was still closely monitoring Mayon's volcanic activity and advised people in the area to stay away from the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone. The provincial government earlier banned any human activity near the volcano after Phivolcs raised on Friday the alert level from 1 to 2 following an increase in abnormal activity in the past days. According to Phivolcs' latest bulletin, Alert Level 2 means "a state of unrest which could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption." Officials also advised 4,000 farmers who were keeping watch over crops within the permanent danger zone to return to their villages at night to avoid getting caught by surprise should the volcano erupt. Mayon, known for its perfect cone shape, last erupted in July and October 2006, and is considered to be the most active volcano in the country. - GMANews.TV