Return of Mayon evacuees eyed as volcanic unrest eases
LEGAZPI CITY—The local government of Camalig in Albay province has begun preparing for the return of 204 families displaced by Mt. Mayon’s unrest as volcanic activity continues to ease, although authorities stressed that no decampment order has been issued yet.
The preparations came after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a sustained decline in Mayon’s activity, marked by fewer volcanic earthquakes, the absence of active lava effusion, and lower sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions since the third week of July.
“We are still closely monitoring all parameters. If this decreasing trend is sustained, we may consider lowering the alert status to alert level 2,” Doreen Abelinde, officer in charge of the Mayon Observatory, told the Inquirer on Wednesday.
Close monitoring
“However, SO2 emissions remain elevated, and ground deformation continues to indicate magma supply at depth. Because of this, renewed activity is still possible, so we are being cautious and closely monitoring the volcano,” Abelinde said.
Mayon has been under alert level 3 since Jan. 6 this year.
The possible easing of restrictions prompted Camalig officials to discuss predecampment measures during an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. said the local government must be ready for any decision by Phivolcs.
“Let’s wait for Phivolcs’ official advisory, but we must be ready for any scenario. Whether the alert status is downgraded to alert level 2 or remains at alert level 3, what is important is that we are prepared,” Baldo said.
Validation
Rommel Negrete Jr., chief of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said the town has started validating the records of the 693 people belonging to 204 displaced families, inspected and disinfected evacuation centers, and started repairs of damaged facilities, while preparing transportation should authorities order the evacuees’ return.
Negrete said the emergency operations center remains under “code red,” with response agencies on full alert for any resurgence in volcanic activity or rain-induced lahar flows.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office is looking for a relocation site for families living within Mayon’s 6-kilometer permanent danger zone so they can be provided with permanent housing instead of repeatedly evacuating whenever the volcano becomes restive.
Camalig officials also advised evacuees to remain at the Camalig Bungkaras evacuation center in Barangay Bongabong and the evacuation center in Barangay Tagaytay until the local government issues an official decampment order.
