More than 6,000 houses in Albay affected by ashfall from Mayon Volcano —governor

The number of households in Albay affected by the ashfall that occurred following Mayon Volcano's unrest on Saturday reached more than 6,000, Albay Governor Noel Rosal said Monday.

"More than 6,000 households ang tinamaan ng ashfall, 'yung mga bahay," Rosal said in an interview on Unang Balita.

Rosal said Mayon Volcano's lava dome collapse last Saturday triggered the ashfall that affected the municipalities of Guinobatan and Camalig.

Passengers shield their faces from ashfall from Mayon Volcano on a road in Camalig, Albay, May 2, 2026. Photo courtesy: Mayor Caloy Baldo

"Kahapon with no less than (DPWH) Sec. (Vince) Dizon na pumunta sa Albay, personal na tiningnan ang clearing operations at flushing natin," he said.

"One to two inches ang kapal (ng abo) doon sa may Guinobatan," Rosal said.

The governor said Maharlika Highway is already passable going toward Naga City.

"Kailangan ngayon ang mandatory face mask. Dapat N95 kasi hazardous itong ashfall na ito lalo na sa mga bata," Rosal said.

No one was injured due to ashfall, he said, because the province has prepared for eventualities.

"Resilient ang Albay. Alam nila ang gagawin... So far, no casualties tayo. Even sa hospital, wala. Nakapaghanda ang mga kababayan," Rosal said.

However, some livestock died and crops were damaged due to the ashfall.

"Sa provincial government, meron kaming reported na anim na livestock namatay, like kalabaw na nailibing dahil nagkaroon ng lava o uson... Dapat maobserbahan ng PHIVOLCS at ng ating disaster risk reduction and management council," Rosal said.

As to evacuees, Rosal said there were 1,238 evacuees since January. These are residents living within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

The governor thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for making sure there are enough food for affected residents.

Rosal said authorities are considering expanding the PDZ to 7 kilometers around Mayon Volcano. If this will be done, that would entail an additional 10,000 families to be affected, he added.

Mayon Volcano is still under Alert Level 3, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Monday.

Camalig

Meanwhile, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin "Caloy" Baldo Jr. said they are asking the Department of Health to send them medicines.

"Actually, humihingi na kami ng tulong sa DOH na baka mabigyan kami ng gamot," he said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"Kailangan prepared ka rito at ma-prevent (ang mga sakit dulot ng ashfall)," he added.

Baldo said the Office of Civil Defense already provided N95 masks, but they need more.

Residents also need brooms to sweep away the ash from their roofs and houses. —KG, GMA News