Phivolcs declares Mayon back to normal

LEGAZPI CITY , Philippines  – Government volcanologists recommended yesterday the lowering of the alert status at Mayon Volcano here from 2 to 1 – which means back to “normal status” – following a sustained overall downtrend in its abnormal parameters since Feb. 13.

“But our recommendation will still be assessed by our main office,” said Ed Laguerta, volcanologist based at the Lignon Hill observatory here of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The parameters are Mayon’s seismic activity, ground deformation, crater glow, and sulfur dioxide emission.

Jaime Sincioco, Phivolcs’ volcano monitoring division chief, said they will send a team this week to further assess the overall condition of the cone-shaped volcano and gather additional inputs for their final decision.

“This team, among other things, will validate the data obtained from the January ground deformation survey. We need to ensure that there is no more magma-related pressure building inside the volcano,” Sincioco said.

Albay disaster management officials said declaring Mayon’s status back to normal is a positive development, as there would be less threat to residents around the volcano.

But Cedric Daep, chief of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, warned that trekking and farming on Mayon’s slopes are still strictly prohibited due to possible hazards, particularly rockfalls.

“While threats that may come from inside the volcano are less likely to take place, mobilization of deposited volcanic materials on Mayon’s slopes may still pose potential hazards, particularly to farmers or climbers,” Daep told The STAR.

He said a post-eruption assessment, including re-mapping of the volcano’s surface, will still be conducted to determine potential threats from lahar and redirected floodwaters during the rainy season.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said six more buildings for evacuees are all set for construction in towns and cities perennially affected by Mayon’s unrest.

Salceda said these buildings, which can be converted into classrooms during normal times, will be funded from some P750 million donated by Japan and Spain.

At least three evacuation buildings funded by Spain have been built in Daraga, Camalig and Guinobatan towns.

“We hope to finish all these buildings before natural calamities again hit our province,” Salceda said.