Sorsogon Governor Jose Edwin Jamor said Monday he will not prevent local government officials from ordering evacuations after Bulusan Volcano had a phreatic eruption before dawn.

In a radio interview, Jamor said the village captain of Puting Sapa, Juban, expressed a desire to order an evacuation.

“I told the captain it should be upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council). But if they really want to, they could go on. We have prepared the aid,” Jamor said.

He also clarified that he would not stop local officials who wish to implement an evacuation. “It’s up to them,” he said.

The 24-minute phreatic eruption prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise Bulusan Volcano’s alert level from 0 (normal) to 1 (low-level unrest).

Phivolcs reported that the eruption produced a bent plume that rose 4,500 meters (nearly 15,000 feet) above the crater before drifting west to southwest.

Ashfall was reported in Cogon and Bolos in Irosin, and Puting Sapa, Guruyan, Buraburan and Tulatula Sur in Juban.

Phivolcs added that rumbling sounds were reported by local officials approximately 15 minutes before the eruption and were recorded by infrasound sensors.

Jamor said the situation would be assessed to determine the necessary aid.

Ashfall affected the Maharlika Highway but was cleared by 3 p.m.

The governor also said that they are monitoring the situation closely and have been prepared in coordination with various government agencies.

Masks were distributed last week, and he advised those uncomfortable using masks to use a wet towel instead. Jamor also urged the elderly and people with respiratory problems to stay indoors.