Mayon volcanic activity declines, but residents still wary

Even as volcanic activity at Mayon Volcano continues to decline, some evacuees who have returned to their homes expressed fears over living around the restive volcano once more. In its 7 a.m. bulletin on Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it recorded only three volcanic quakes and 21 rockfall events in the last 24 hours. "Steaming activity and crater glow were not observed due to thick clouds that covered the summit crater," the Phivolcs said. On Monday, the Phivolcs' seismic monitoring network detected seven volcanic earthquakes and 33 rockfall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes. The Phivolcs lowered the alert level for Mayon from "4" to "3" last January 2 and allowed the return of several evacuated families to their homes. According to Albay Governor Joey Salceda, 96 percent of the 47,000 evacuees have returned to their homes. Despite the lower alert level for Mayon, some residents fear the continuing volcanic activity, a report by GMA News' Cedric Castillo over Unang Hirit said.
"Pag minsan mainit yung hangin, pag malakas na yung apoy kasi sobra talagang liwanag ng apoy nung unang gabi (Sometimes we get scared when the wind is warm, and if the lava flow is strong. The first night we were here, the lava glowed so bright)," said one resident who has returned to her home outside the Permanent Danger Zone. Even though it has lowered the alert level, the Phivolcs said the public should remain on alert against sudden explosions that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. "People residing close to these danger areas are also advised to observe precautions associated with post-eruption activity, such as rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, and ash fallout which can also occur anytime due to instabilities of lava deposited on steep slopes," it said in its bulletin. Alert Level 3 remains in effect over Mayon, which means that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast flank of the volcano should be free from human activity. According to Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan, spokesman for the Joint Task Force Mayon, there are currently 11 checkpoints within the danger zone. In a text message to reporters, Bansawan said eight checkpoints manned by the Philippine Army covers the southeast, southwest, and northwest sectors while three checkpoints within the east and northeast section of Mayon Volcano are manned by elements of the Albay provincial police. Bansawan said Salceda has ordered the task force to "intensify its checkpoints and security patrols to deny the entry of tourists and their local guides as well as farmers" in the Permanent Danger Zone. The Phivolcs said civil aviation authorities should continue advising pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircraft. - with a report from Jam Sisante/RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV