Legazpi city: Despite the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano, Albay Governor Noel Rosal stated on Wednesday that no parameters have so far reached the threshold for an Alert Level 4 declaration, while emphasizing that the provincial government and local government units (LGUs) remain fully prepared.
According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Rosal noted that although volcanic gas emissions, including sulfur dioxide, may occasionally trigger minor explosive activity, these are not expected to escalate into a highly destructive eruption. "Eruption maybe, but according to Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology), it will not be as disastrous or explosive because a lot has already been released," he said in an interview.
The governor highlighted that the amount of volcanic activity over the past three months is similar to that of nearly six months, suggesting some pressure has been released inside the volcano. Rosal mentioned that the provincial government, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has taken steps to ensure the safety and well-being of residents, especially those who have been evacuated.
"If Alert Level 4 is eventually declared, the authorities are prepared to enforce an extended seven-kilometer evacuation radius, which may affect more than 10,000 families," he stated. Rosal also reported progress on relocation initiatives for the families within the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) in the municipalities of Malilipot, Camalig, and Tabaco City.
He anticipates that the projects will be completed within a year, enabling the province to permanently evacuate residents from the 6-km PDZ. "We will no longer need to evacuate, which will be a significant milestone for Albay Disaster Management," he said, emphasizing that while livelihoods may continue in the area, permanent settlement will no longer be permitted.
Rosal expressed gratitude to the national government for its directives, issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., instructing concerned agencies to address the needs of the affected families. He also mentioned that the provincial government is delaying a province-wide declaration of a state of calamity because only certain LGUs are affected and have already issued their own declarations.
