Albay bans activities inside Mayon Volcano danger zone

Albay Governor bans activities in villages around Mt. Mayon’s danger zone as the volcano remains on Alert Level 1. File Photo

LEGAZPI CITY—Albay Governor Noel Rosal on Monday, August 22, prohibited human activities within the 6-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) placed Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 1.

In an advisory, Rosal said prohibited inside the permanent danger zone are flower and orchid picking, farming, and other human activities.

Exempted from the ban are those involved in providing public safety and disaster operations.

Rosal also banned recreational activities such as camping, hiking, climbing, and mountain biking in the danger zone.

He advised residents near valleys and river channels to take precautions due to the possible lahar and sediment-laden streamflows that heavy rainfall could trigger.

He asked local governments to establish checkpoints along the six-kilometer radius of the volcano.

Phivolcs placed the volcano under Alert Level 1 on Sunday after exhibiting abnormal conditions and entering a period of unrest, which means there would be an increase in the chances of a sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruption. INQ

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Phivolcs places Mayon Volcano under Alert Level 1

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