Police forces in Albay have tightened security around Mayon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), following orders from acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. to keep residents and thrill-seeking tourists out amid the volcano’s hazardous activity.
Nartatez said local police are coordinating closely with government units to secure all entry points and ensure safety protocols are strictly followed.
“Our personnel in Albay are in constant coordination with the local government units on matters pertaining to the safety of and assistance to affected residents. Currently, our focus is to keep the danger zones off limits to residents and even tourists as advised by our volcanologists,” he stressed.
The directive comes as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported continued pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), rockfalls, and lava flows from Mayon, forcing 1,508 families in 14 barangays to evacuate.
From January 20 to 21, Phivolcs recorded 61 PDCs, 273 rockfall events, 83 volcanic earthquakes, and continuous lava effusion.
The volcano remains under Alert Level 3, signaling possible hazardous eruptions.
Authorities warned that volcanic hazards include rockfalls, landslides, lava flows, ballistic fragments, explosions, and lahars during heavy rainfall.
Even light ashfall could impair visibility and pose health risks, while aircraft are barred from flying near the volcano due to ash and debris.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided ₱12.8 million worth of humanitarian aid to affected families.
Of the displaced, 1,114 families or 4,092 individuals are staying in 12 evacuation centers, while others are being assisted by social workers as they shelter with relatives.
Relief operations remain uninterrupted, backed by over ₱6.3 billion in available resources for sustained response.
Nartatez urged residents to heed official advisories and avoid restricted zones, emphasizing that the PNP remains on heightened alert as Mayon’s unrest continues. (Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz, Aaron Recuenco)
