Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday urged government agencies and local government units to heighten preparedness as Mayon Volcano in Albay and Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island showed renewed activity, prompting increased monitoring and response operations.
Go said preparedness measures should focus on the prepositioning of relief goods, readiness of response teams, and clear coordination among agencies and LGUs as volcanic unrest continues to pose risks to nearby communities.
“Everyone should already be prepared before the situation worsens. If relief goods are prepositioned early and plans are clear, assistance to affected families will be faster,” Go said.
His call came as the Department of Social Welfare and Development placed its Bicol Regional Office on full alert amid Mayon’s continued unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has kept Mayon under Alert Level 3, indicating an increased tendency toward a hazardous eruption following recent pyroclastic density currents.
The DSWD reported that P132.59 million worth of relief stockpiles and standby funds are available, including family food packs, ready-to-eat food boxes, and non-food items, prepositioned in coordination with LGUs. Preemptive evacuations have been carried out for residents within the six-kilometer danger zone.
Phivolcs also reported renewed ash emissions from Kanlaon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2. Recent ash plumes rose up to 900 meters above the crater and drifted northwest. Kanlaon has recorded recurring ash emissions since its 2024 eruption.
Go urged the public to remain calm, follow official advisories, and avoid spreading unverified information.
“It is important to listen to accurate information from authorities. Do not spread fake news because it only adds to fear,” he said.