Mayon remains in Alert Level 3, over 1k families affected

Mayon Volcano remained unrest-based and continued to be under Alert Level 3.

Based on the 24-hour observation report of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) covering 12:00 a.m. January 20 to 12:00 a.m. January 21, the volcano logged 273 rockfalls, 83 volcanic earthquakes, and 61 pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) locally known as uson.

PHIVOLCS said Mayon’s activity during the period included lava dome and lava flow effusion, with episodic minor strombolian activity, a low-level volcanic eruption.

The agency also logged moderate plume emissions rising up to 500 meters above the crater, drifting north-northeast to east-southeast, while sulfur dioxide emissions reached 1,973 tons.

With Mayon remaining under Alert Level 3, PHIVOLCS reiterated that entry into the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited, as well as unauthorized entry into the Extended Danger Zone. The public was also reminded that flying any aircraft close to the volcano is prohibited.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Wednesday that it has already provided ₱12.8 million worth of humanitarian assistance to affected areas in the Bicol Region, covering both food and non-food interventions for displaced families.

As of 6:00 a.m. January 21, a total of 14 barangays have been affected, involving 1,508 families or 6,031 individuals. DSWD data from field reports showed that 1,114 families, or 4,092 individuals, are currently staying in 12 open evacuation centers.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao assured the public that relief operations will remain uninterrupted amid Mayon’s continued unrest.

“Patuloy po naming binabantayan sa DSWD ang sitwasyon ng Mayon. Hindi natitigil ang paghahatid ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan sa loob at labas ng evacuation centers, lahat po sila ay sinisiguro ng Departamento na may pagkain, matutulugan, at may sapat na suporta dahil sa pag-aalburoto ng bulkan,” Asec. Dumlao said.

According to DSWD Field Office 5 Regional Director Norman Laurio, assistance also extends to affected families staying outside evacuation centers.

"Yung mga pamilya na nakatira sa kanilang mga mag anak, ay meron din po tayong listahan, meron po tayong mga profile ng mga yan, prinofile din po yan ng ating mga social workers. So ibig sabihin, ay binibigyan din natin sila ng kaukulang tulong at asistensya,” RD Laurio said on Monday.

To date, DSWD said its Quick Response Fund (QRF) stands at ₱3,042,727,296.32, while standby food and non-food items are valued at ₱3,337,914,907.86, bringing total available resources for response operations to ₱6,380,642,204.18.