Rockfall is seen over Mayon Volcano in this photo taken around 9am on Friday as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised alert level 2 on Thursday due to increasing unrest, including frequent rockfall events and a growing lava dome that could lead to an effusive eruption. - Photo courtesy of contributor JEFFREY JAYMES A. MESIAS
GUINOBATAN, ALBAY, (Philippines): Four families, or 16 individuals, were evacuated from Barangay Muladbucad Grande here on Friday (Jan 2) after alert level 2 was raised over Mayon Volcano since Thursday (Jan 1) amid growing unrest, including rockfalls from its summit.
Local government and disaster response officials said the preemptive evacuation aims to ensure zero casualties should the situation worsen.
In an interview on Friday, Rose Marie Racadag, 42, who lives within the 7-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), said her bags are already packed in case the local government orders a preemptive or forced evacuation.
“We are always ready and we won’t hesitate if there is an evacuation order. An eruption is very dangerous,” she told the Inquirer.
Racadag added that although life in evacuation centers is inconvenient, “preserving life and our safety is our priority.”
Ignacio Flores, 51, a farmer living on the slopes of Mayon, said he would also comply if asked to leave his home.
“It is okay if work is temporarily halted. I know the government will take care of us while we are staying at the evacuation center,” he said.
Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco said in a separate interview that the evacuation of four families within the 6-km PDZ has already been ordered.
Preparations
“For now, they are temporarily staying with relatives outside the danger zone,” Ongjoco said.
She added that, as part of preparations for a worst-case scenario, the local government has arranged everything from evacuation logistics to food supply should the alert level escalate.
“We have identified evacuation centers for both people and animals, and we are now prepositioning food packs just in case an evacuation is ordered,” Ongjoco noted.
The mayor said about 15,000 to 20,000 residents may need to be evacuated if the situation worsens.
Joy Maravillas, chief of the Guinobatan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said authorities will strictly enforce the no-human-activity policy within the declared danger zone for public safety.
“We have already coordinated with the barangays and the PNP, and they assured us that patrols will be conducted to ensure strict enforcement for everyone’s safety,” she said.
Flying ban
Based on a Phivolcs bulletin issued on Friday after a 24-hour observation period, Mayon recorded two volcanic earthquakes and 43 rockfall events. A faint crater glow was also observed using a telescope.
Amid the heightened unrest at Mayon, flight operators are again banned from flying near the volcano until Saturday morning, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.
According to CAAP, the ban was implemented at 8.55am on Friday and will remain in effect until 8.55am on Saturday.
CAAP has continuously restricted flights near Mayon since December 2025 due to increased volcanic activity. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
