Mayon’s lava may hit houses in danger zone

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Lava from Mayon Volcano may hit residential areas within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned.

Lava flows have advanced 3.3 kilometers in the Miisi gully in Daraga, 4.5 kms in Bongga gully in this city and 900 meters in Basud gully facing Camalig, Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said yesterday. 

“ If (Mayon’s) present activity continues, we can’t rule out the possibility that lava flow would reach the six-kilometer permanent danger zone,” Solidum said. 

Solidum also warned disaster and local officials on pyroclastic density currents, locally known as uson which accompanies lava collapse, saying it could reach five kilometers and destroy plantation and vegetation in the area.

“That’s why we are maintaining the eight-kilometer extended danger zone around Mayon Volcano,” Solidum said.

There are around 3,000 families or more than 15,000 individuals residing within the volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone, records from the Albay provincial government showed.  These residents have evacuated their homes after the volcano started erupting last month.

Phivolcs said discreet episodes of lava fountaining that lasted from 18 minutes to more than two hours and accompanied by rumbling sounds audible beyond 10 kilometers have been observed since Thursday. 

The volcano also spewed ash plumes at around 6 a.m. yesterday. 

 Solidum said Alert Level 4 would not be lowered for as long as lava continues to flow from the volcano.

Cash-for-work

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) started distributing funds under its cash-for-work program for Mayon evacuees.

The DSWD allocated a total of P72 million for the program. Beneficiaries will receive P290 per day for 10 days of work in evacuation centers where they are staying.

There are 15,140 families or 56,590 persons in 57 evacuation centers in Albay, the DSWD said.

More than P287 million in assistance has been provided to residents affected by Mayon’s eruption. Of the amount, P45.4 million came from the DSWD, P49.5 million from local government units, P31.2 million from non-government organizations and P161 million from humanitarian assistance providers, including national government agencies. – With Rainier Allan Ronda

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