Lava and red-hot volcanic fragments rolled some 4 kilometers down the slopes of Mayon Volcano, visible at night to Albay residents in yet another terrifying display of the volcano’s beauty and destructive power. The pyroclastic flow was preceded by a minor ash explosion in the morning of December 14, followed by several other small explosions in the same day.

Molten rock and glowing lava fragments continue to issue from the volcano summit as of this writing. Steam emissions reaching 200 meters high was observed in the past 24 hours, drifting towards the west and southwest of the volcano. Ash explosions in the last two days have showered parts of Camalig, Guinobatan, and Ligao City with light ashfall. Data from PHIVOLCS also indicated sulfur dioxide emission levels at 750 tons per day, way above the normal rate.

Authorities raised the alert status of the volcano to Alert Level 3, warning that a hazardous eruption may occur within weeks. Areas within 6 kilometers of the crater and an extended zone in the direction of the main gully are in danger of volcanic flows, which may occur during sudden explosions. By December 15, the government has ordered the evacuation of these areas, encompassing parts of Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Malilipot, and Sto. Domingo municipalities as well as portions of Legazpi City, Tabaco City, and Ligao City.

Close to 30,000 residents have been evacuated to 17 pre-designated evacuation centers around Albay province. Below is the partial evacuation report issued by the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO).

Evacuation report as of 12 noon, December 16, 2009 (Source: APSEMO)

City/Municipality	Barangay	Population		Evacuation Center
		Families	Persons
Camalig	Quirangay	633	2,747	Bariw Elem. Sch.
	Sua	331	1,429	Baligang Elem. Sch.
	Cabangan	152	687	Cabangan Elem. Sch.
	Tumpa	294	1,353	Baligang Elem. Sch.
	Salugan	170	754	Camalig Natl. Highschool
	Anoling	221	916	FVR-Tagaytay Reloc. Site
Subtotal	6	1,801	7,886
Daraga	Bañadero	489	1,823	Anislag Reloc. Site
	Alcala	360	1,441	Daraga North Central Sch.
	Matnog	256	1,500	Anislag Reloc. Site
	3	217	868	Daraga Highschool
Subtotal		1,322	5,632
Legazpi City	Mabinit	354	1,840	San Roque Elem. Sch.
	Matanag	406	2,111	Albay Central Sch.
	Buyuan	838	4,357	Bagumbayan Central Sch.
	Bonga	744	3,868	Gogon Central Sch.
	Padang	81	421	Albay Central Sch.
Subtotal	5	2,423	12,597
Tabaco City	Magapo	184	912	San Antonio Elem. Sch.
	Buang	105	542	Mayon Elem. Sch.
Subtotal	2	289	1,454
Malilipot	Calbayog	545	2,406	San Jose Elem. Sch.
	San Roque	34	125	Malilipot Central Sch.
	Canaway	134	620	Malilipot Central Sch.
Subtotal	3	713	3,151
Sto. Domingo	Lidong	11	41	Bical Natl. Highschool
Subtotal	1	11	41
TOTAL	20	6,559	30,761

Although the threat to human lives seems to have been averted due to preemptive evacuation, economic hardships will likely affect the thousands of farming families who cultivate the fertile land along the slopes of Mt. Mayon. Most vegetable production in the province is located in this area. Many farmers here are now forced to gather their produce ahead of the harvest season to avoid further losses. In other farms, immature crops are exposed to damages from volcanic debris as volcanic activity escalates.

The volcano has been growing restive for the past several months. Increased volcanic activity was observed in July this year, prompting PHIVOLCS to raise the alert status to Level 2. Mayon is the most active volcano in the country, having erupted close to 50 times in the past 400 years.

Appeal for assistance:

Donations for the evacuees may be sent through TABI (Tarabang Para sa Bicol, Inc.) at 49 First Park Subdivision, Brgy. Sagpon, Daraga, Albay 4501. Cash donations may also be deposited to the following account:

Bank Name: Banco De Oro – Legaspi Branch

Name of Account: TARABANG PARA SA BICOL, INC.

Account #: 1810089873

For more information please contact:

MARICRIS A. BIÑAS

TABI Executive Director

Mobile#: 0929 702 6602
Telefax: (052) 483 2453

Email: tarabang@yahoo.com
URL: http://tarabangbicol.multiply.com / http://www.cdrc-phil.com/tabi/