No lull in Mayon activity — Phivolcs

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Mayon Volcano remains active despite fewer episodes of pyroclastic flows in the past few days.

 “There is no lull...Its abnormal parameters are sustained, particularly its lava flow,” Mayon’s resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta told The STAR yesterday.

Laguerta said lull is not the accurate word to describe the state of the volcano, noting that its seismicity, sulphur dioxide emissions, lava flow and ground deformation are still above normal thresholds.

“In the past days, lava flows were observed to be advancing only in the channels of Miisi in Daraga and Bonga-Buyuan gullies in Legazpi. Now it is cascading down the Basud gully facing Sto. Domingo,” he said.

At least 55 volcanic quakes, which corresponded to sporadic and weak lava fountaining and nine rockfall events were recorded in the past 24 hours.

The volcano also generated ash plumes that reached 500 meters above the crater and were accompanied by a booming sound.

Laguerta said Mayon’s degassing process remains intense as sulfur dioxide gas emission was measured at an average of 1,583 tons a day last Feb. 2.

“Mayon’s eruption parameters remain at a high level of abnormality,” he said.

Laguerta noted that Mayon’s activity slowed down for a week before its major eruption in 1994.

”This continued eruption of lava is the surface manifestation of the inflation or swelling of the volcano,” Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum said.

Phivolcs said the volcano remains under Alert Level 4, which means that a hazardous eruption could still occur within a few days.

The agency reiterated its reminder to the public not to enter the eight-kilometer-radius danger zone and to remain vigilant against pyroclastic density currents, lahar and sediment-laden stream flows.

Farm animals evacuated 

As the volcano continues to act up, at least 681 farm animals were evacuated to ensure their safety.

Among those brought out from barns and farms near the volcano were 329 carabaos, seven horses and 345 cows, goats and other farm animals.

Meanwhile, the number of residents in evacuation centers has decreased as around 901 families were allowed to go home, records at the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office showed.

From 20,585 families or 79,282 persons last Feb. 2, there were only 19,684 families or 75,949 persons in evacuation centers yesterday afternoon.

Cash-for-work

Evacuees and other residents affected by Mayon’s eruption can avail themselves of cash-for-work, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

Beneficiaries will receive P290 per day for 10 days for services rendered in evacuation centers.

The DSWD said 139 persons will benefit from the program in Bacacay; 3,035 in Camalig; 2,658 in Daraga; 3,264 in Guinobatan; 4,074 in Legazpi; 1,368 in Ligao; 1,925 in Tabaco; 1,329 in Malilipot, and 3,578 in Sto. Domingo.

Concerned local government units will help implement the program.

‘No expired food items’

The DSWD gave assurance that food packs distributed to  evacuees are safe to eat.

DSWD officer-in-charge Emmanuel Leyco said they implement a strict monitoring system where all food items are checked for their expiration dates.

Leyco said expired food items allegedly received by some evacuees did not come from the DSWD, adding that he ordered an investigation into such reports.

The National Food Authority (NFA) said it would continue to release rice to victims of Mayon’s explosion despite its depleting stocks.

“We have enough personnel assigned in the warehouses and the main office to man the operation center. The center is open 24/7 so we can quickly respond to urgent requests,” NFA regional director Bernardo Asetre said.

The NFA has so far released around 22,200 bags of rice to relief agencies. – With Rainier Allan Ronda, Louise Maureen Simeon, Michael Punongbayan