PHIVOLCS Raises Alert Level as Mayon Ashfall Blankets 52 Albay Villages

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued an urgent safety advisory following a significant surge in volcanic activity from Mayon Volcano, which has resulted in heavy ashfall affecting at least 52 barangays across the province of Albay.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 5 confirmed on Sunday that the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan, along with Ligao City, have borne the brunt of the volcanic discharge. The event was triggered by a series of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) descending through the Mi-isi Gully, generating a massive ash plume that drifted west-southwest. Local authorities reported “zero-visibility” conditions on major thoroughfares, prompting the Camalig Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to advise all motorists to use headlights and exercise extreme caution.

In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Department of Health (DOH) and OCD-5 have initiated the emergency distribution of thousands of N95 face masks to affected residents. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has pre-positioned personnel and fire trucks to begin road-flushing operations as soon as volcanic activity stabilizes.

“Our priority is the immediate safety of the residents within the extended danger zones,” stated a spokesperson for the Bicol disaster council. “We are coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure that evacuation protocols are followed should the situation escalate further.”

As of this morning, the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) remains strictly off-limits to the public. PHIVOLCS continues to monitor the volcano’s seismic activity and gas emissions, warning that further PDCs and ash fountaining are likely. Residents are urged to stay indoors, secure their water sources from contamination, and remain vigilant for further official updates from the provincial government.