LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The provincial government has placed the entire province on heightened alert after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) elevated Mayon Volcano’s alert status from Level 1 to Level 2 on New Year’s Day.
Phivolcs raised the alert level at 6 a.m. following signs of increasing volcanic unrest driven by shallow magmatic activity.
Alert Level 2 indicates a moderate level of unrest, which may potentially escalate into a hazardous magmatic eruption.
Phivolcs said the combination of persistent rockfall and prolonged deformation suggests an increased likelihood of eruptive activity.
The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO), through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), issued a series of safety measures to minimize risks and ensure public safety.
APSEMO reiterated the strict prohibition of all human activities within the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), including mountain climbing, orchid picking, and vegetable harvesting.
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) rides are now limited exclusively to the Cagsawa ruins area, while operations in other areas around Mayon are temporarily suspended.
A no-fly zone has also been imposed directly above Mayon Volcano and access to Mayon Skyline has been temporarily closed until further notice.
The Philippine National Police, through the Albay Police Provincial Office (PPO), has been directed to strictly enforce these restrictions in coordination with concerned local government units.
City, municipal, and barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils surrounding Mayon were advised to remain under preparedness and monitoring status. (Niño N. Luces, Jel Santos)
