DOT lists safe Mayon viewing sites for tourists

LEGAZPI CITY — Want to catch a glimpse of Mayon Volcano in all its restive glory? The Bicol office of the Department of Tourism (DOT) has identified safe viewing sites for both domestic and foreign tourists who wish to visit Albay for the volcanic drama.

Based on Mayon’s past eruptions, Ma. Antonette Diaz, DOT-Bicol officer-in-charge, said the safe viewing sites include the top of Kaputukan Hill at Victory Village, the premises of the old Mayon International Hotel in Barangay Taysan Hills, the Imperial Ridge View in Barangay Buragwis, the Legazpi City pier, and the portion of the national highway in Barangay Padang.

One can also safely view Mayon’s eruption in all parts of Legazpi City and Daraga town, the premises of the Daraga Church, the Cagsawa church ruins in Barangay Busay, the lower portion of Barangay Malabog, the national highway at the boundary of Camalig and Guinobatan towns, and, Barangay Basud in Sto. Domingo town.

Diaz said these places were found to be safe from explosion-related hazards during the last eruption of Mayon in 2000-2001, with tourists experiencing an "amusing display of spectacular eruption."

She, however, admitted that her office is having difficulty in determining the exact number of tourists visiting Albay for Mayon viewing, saying they only rely on information being submitted by DOT-accredited hotels here.

"We know that there are plenty of establishments such as inns and apartments for transients that admit tourists but are not furnishing our office data about their customers," she said.

Based on figures from at least four DOT-accredited hotels here, Diaz said there was an average room occupancy rate of over 50 percent from July 15 to 18.

"We are just asking favors from hotel owners to inform us about their number of (guests). They are not obliged to do that in the first place," she said.

Most Albay visitors do not register with the local DOT office and instead go to their relatives to view Mayon’s lava flows.

Diaz said if these tourists register with their office, they could be properly documented and get information on the safe viewing sites.