The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has lowered the alert status of Mayon volcano to Alert Level 3 on Saturday after noting signs of decreased activity.

More than 47,000 people living some seven to eight kilometers around Mayon were already allowed to return home. However, more than 2,000 people living in the 6-kilometer danger zone remain in the evacuation centers.

PHIVOLCS said possible sudden explosions are still likely to occur, warning residents close to the danger zone of possible rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, ash emissions, and lahar (mud lava).

Local authorities started evacuating people around Mayon on December 15; and imposed forced evacuation when Alert Level 4 was raised on December 20, fearing imminent hazardous explosion. At its peak, there were 50,000 people cramped inside public schools turned into evacuation centers in the province.

Most of the people living around the volcano were farmers whose only source of livelihood was gravely affected during the recent activity of Mayon. Their farming activities were disrupted, and most of their crops destroyed by the continuing ash fall.

More than two weeks after their stay inside the evacuation centers, Mayon residents have no immediate livelihood to return to.

Appeal for assistance

The affected families still staying inside the evacuation centers and those who have returned to their homes are still in need of food and non-food items like potable water, rice, canned goods, water containers, masks, face towels, mats, blankets, mosquito nets and hygiene kits (sanitary napkins, toothpaste, bath soap, face towel).

Donations may be sent through the following:

Citizens’ Disaster Response Center (CDRC)
72-A Times St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City, 1104 Philippines

Dollar Account
Account Name:  Citizens’ Disaster Response Center
Account Number:  2636-0015-83
Bank:  Metrobank, Examiner Branch
Bank Address: Corner Examiner and Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

Peso Account
Account Name:  Citizens’ Disaster Response Center
Account Number:  1560-6430-16
Bank:  China Bank, Examiner Branch
Bank Address: Corner Examiner and Quezon Avenue, West Triangle, Quezon City, Philippines

Tarabang Para sa Bicol, Inc. (TABI)
49 First Park Subdivision, Brgy. Sagpon, Daraga, Albay, 4501 Philippines

Peso Account
Account Name: TARABANG PARA SA BICOL, INC.
Account Number: 1810089873
Bank: Banco De Oro – Legaspi Branch

Reports from:

Tarabang Para sa Bicol, Inc. (TABI)
Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC)
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs)