October 8th, 2022
House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, 2nd district) has requested the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to preposition resources such as relief supplies and other emergency support in light of heightened activity in Mayon Volcano.
The Albay solon wrote the DSWD today following yesterday’s announcement by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that it raised Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 2.
Salecda wrote DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo to prepare for extended evacuations and mobilize resources accordingly, once needed.
“While the risk remains completely manageable, may we request your team’s usual alertness and prepositioning of resources for possible mobilization should there be need for evacuation and relief,” Salceda wrote.
“As in the past, evacuation from Mayon activity can be protracted, and may require extended support from the government. I am confident that the Department, under your leadership, is prepared for such eventuality, as it has been during the competently-led relief operations for communities affected by recent natural calamities,” Salceda added.
In subsequent remarks, Salceda also said that “the DSWD handled Abra and Karding drama-free and very professionally. So, I am confident that they will be able to mobilize resources for Mayon, especially as it is ordered by President Marcos in his SONA.”
Phivolcs warned that the activity “could eventually lead to phreatic eruptions or even precede hazardous magmatic eruption.”
“The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the six (6) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) to minimize risks from sudden explosions, rockfall and landslides. In case of ash fall events that may affect communities downwind of Mayon’s crater, people should cover their nose and mouth with damp, clean cloth or dust mask. Civil aviation authorities must also advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ash from any sudden eruption can be hazardous to aircraft,” Phivolcs stated.
“In Albay, we are always prepared. But we also always need help from outside, given the size of the risks involved. So, the usual support from Secretary Tulfo will be deeply appreciated,” Salceda added.