Albay farmers seek return to Mayon danger zone amid losses from ashfall

Despite the dangers posed by Mayon Volcano, many farmers in Albay are hoping they will eventually be allowed to return to the volcano’s permanent danger zone, saying their livelihoods depend on the farmlands located there.

According to a report by Bea Pinlac on "24 Oras Weekend," farmer Diogenes Lomibao Sr. had expected a bountiful harvest from his crops inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone of Mayon Volcano before thick ashfall destroyed them.

“The crops died and were wiped out. It was really severe… nothing was left,” Lomibao said.

He added that even his calamansi trees were heavily damaged by the ashfall.

“I was devastated when I saw my farm covered by hot ash. It’s really difficult when you think about the money you spent and all the hard work,” he said in Filipino.

Another resident, Liezel Dean, said her family also depends on crops planted within the danger zone.

“Our situation is very difficult. We know it’s risking our lives, but we have no choice because this is our livelihood,” Dean said.

Authorities continue to strictly enforce restrictions within the six-kilometer danger zone, where all human activity, including farming, remains prohibited.

The Albay provincial government is reportedly studying a proposed ordinance related to the situation, but residents said abandoning farms that have sustained their families for years is not easy.

“If there’s another job available for us, maybe. But we can’t say we will never return to Mayon,” Dean said.

Lomibao said poverty could worsen if farmers are permanently barred from returning.

“If it’s truly prohibited, we have no choice. But the problem is poverty will become even worse because despite the danger, we really try to keep farming,” he said.

Aside from ashfall damage, farmers are also worried about possible lahar flows if heavy rains occur. Large amounts of volcanic debris have accumulated in channels that could overflow into communities near the volcano.

The Albay provincial government has prepared evacuation plans for villages vulnerable to lahar flows and continues to prohibit residents from returning to the danger zone.

According to the Philippine Space Agency, at least 1,000 hectares of rice fields and nearly 200 hectares of other agricultural land may have been affected by ashfall.

The Department of Agriculture earlier estimated agricultural damage in the Bicol Region at more than P13 million.

Authorities also warned that the ashfall’s impact on agricultural production could eventually lead to higher prices of rice and vegetables in local markets.—MCG, GMA News