LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Mayon Volcano’s alert level may be lowered next week if its downward trend will continue, an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.
At a press briefing at Camp Simeon Ola, Phivolcs resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta said Mayon has been quiet since the alert level was lowered to 2 on March 6. He said lava flow stopped in the past three days.
“We are going to observe the volcano...until next week before we decide if we will lower the alert level,” Laguerta said.
He said Mayon has ejected around 65 million cubic meters of volcanic materials since Jan. 13.
Laguerta said they could not immediately lower the alert level due to the risks faced by residents within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.
At a meeting presided by Mayon crisis manager Francis Tolentino said 1,630 families or 6,302 individuals remain in evacuation centers in Camalig, Guinobatan, Malilipot and Tabaco. – Celso Amo