MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least 21,000 individuals are now staying in 18 evacuation centers in eastern Philippines amid the possible explosion of Mayon Volcano in Albay province, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said today.
Food packs, assorted food and non-food items were already provided to the evacuees, the department said, adding that standby funds worth P5.165 million (about $116,855) were also readied for the purchase of emergency relief supplies.
The Mayon Volcano has been placed under Alert Level 3 as magma was at the crater and hazardous eruption was possible within weeks.
On Thursday morning, its seismic network recorded 142 volcanic earthquakes and 251 rockfall events during the past 24-hour observation period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.
Moderate emission of white steam plumes that drifted south southwest was observed, it said, adding that rain clouds covered the summit preventing visual observation.