DOE: Contingency measures in place amid Mayon unrest

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced its contingency measures on Saturday amid a potential hazardous eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay.

At a press conference, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the agency had alerted power stakeholders in light of Mayon's volcanic activity, which is currently under Alert Level 3.

"Nagko-coordinate tayo with NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines), sa power generation [companies and] also other agencies like DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) for clearing [operations]. We also requested the oil companies to fill up the liquefied fuel retail outlets, yung mga gasolinahan para if ever mas maka-mobilize yung preparation and response na gagawin just in case magkaroon ng mas malaking pinsala," Fuentebella said.

On Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) released new photos of the Mayon Volcano's summit, where a new lava dome can be seen emerging.

PHIVOLCS also reported one volcanic earthquake and 59 rockfall events in the past 24 hours.

The agency said the volcano might cause rockfalls, landslides, avalanches, ballistic fragments, lava flows and fountains, pyroclastic density currents, and moderate-sized explosions.

At least 3,000 families have been evacuated, with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. assuring that funds and food packs are available for the affected residents.

The provincial government has placed Albay under a state of calamity due to Mayon's unrest.  — Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News