Checkpoints set up around Mayon Volcano amid ‘uson’

Checkpoints are now in place to prevent people from entering the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of the Mayon Volcano in Albay, which has been placed under Alert Level 3 due to the occurrence of pyroclastic density current (PDC) or “uson.”

According to Chino Gaston’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, pre-emptive evacuations were implemented in various towns in Albay such as in Camalig, Ligao City, Malilipot, Daraga, and Guinobatan. 

“Technically, dapat walang tao doon kasi it’s a permanent danger [zone]. Even at Alert Level 0, dapat walang tao doon. Ang dapat i-evacuate natin ‘yung nakatira beyond the six-kilometer permanent danger zone. But kami naman sa PHIVOLCS, we recognize the reality on the ground na may mga nakatira talaga doon,” said PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol. 

(Technically, there should be no one there because it’s a permanent danger zone. Even at Alert Level 0, there should be no people there. We should be evacuating those who are living beyond the six-kilometer permanent danger zone. But for us at PHIVOLCS, we recognize the reality on the ground that there are people actually living there.)

The agency warned that exposure to pyroclastic density current, or “uson” as Bicolanos call it, could cause instant death. 

Thick volumes of “uson” could bury, burn, or pin down an individual, while exposure to think volumes may cause difficulty in breathing.

“Technically, it’s erupting, it’s just that it’s an effusive eruption. ‘Yun ‘yung quiet eruption natin, slow release of magma doon sa edifice ng bulkan,” Bacolcol said.

(Technically, it’s erupting, it’s just that it’s an effusive eruption. That is our ‘quiet eruption,’ a slow release of magma from the edifice of the volcano.) 

Evacuation centers are being readied for around 2,899 Albay residents who were ordered to evacuate from the above-mentioned areas.

“Mga nasa six kilometers, dapat sumunod tayo. Kasi we want to emphasize na no man’s land ‘yan ‘pag ganitong alert level,” said Albay Governor Noel Rosal. 

(To those within the six-kilometer radius, we must comply. Because we want to emphasize that this is a ‘no man’s land’ at this alert level.) 

Although entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone is prohibited due to the imposition of Alert Level 3, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said it is still safe for tourists to visit and view Mayon Volcano’s activity from a far, safe distance. 

The DOT observed that more tourists visit the area whenever there is unrest in Mayon Volcano. 

“Ano tayo don, maghihigpit tayo, ‘yung trekking, siyempre ‘yung safety pa rin ng mga turista,” said DOT Bicol director Herbie Aguas.  

(We will be strict regarding that, especially with trekking. Because of course, the safety of the tourists is still the priority.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA Integrated News