The Mayon Volcano showed strong activity in the past 24 hours, pushing more families in Albay to leave their homes as authorities kept a close watch on the danger zone on Thursday, January 7, 2025.

In a report by Ian Cruz on 24 Oras, PHIVOLCS recorded at least 131 rockfall events, five episodes of “uson” or hot flows made of rocks, lava, and gas, and more than 700 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions. The volcano also showed weak crater glow, visible only through a telescope.

Despite the activity, Mayon was not visible for most of the day from Tabaco City due to thick clouds and rain.

The effects of the unrest were felt at evacuation centers, including the Bauang Evacuation Center, which is already in use even as construction around it continues. The site now shelters evacuees from the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ).

A total of 256 people have evacuated, including indigenous residents. One evacuee, Teresita Pante, said fear of lahar forced them to leave.

“Baka daanan kami ng lahar kasi pag magbaha siya, dinadaanan ng baha. Barado, ‘di kami makadaan,” she said.

Another evacuee, Monalisa Cortezano, said her family left their home on her birthday due to fear brought by the weather and the volcano.

“Napakabigat, sir, kasi sabay-sabay po. Ulan, yung kaba, sir, papunta rito,” she said.

The Tabaco City Health Office assured evacuees that sanitation measures are in place to prevent disease outbreaks.

“Para maiwasan ang sakit tulad ng ubo, sipon, tulad po ngayon malamig. We have ubo, sipon, and yung waterborne diseases like diarrhea. At isa rin sa binabantayan namin ay skin diseases,” Norianne Brizuela, a nurse, said.

At the San Antonio Evacuation Center, 22 families or 78 individuals are staying. In total, nearly 800 residents in Tabaco City have evacuated from the six-kilometer PDZ.

Police tightened security to stop unauthorized entry into the danger zone. Still, some residents returned briefly to check on their animals and livelihoods.

“Nagbababa naman kami, nag-aano lang kami ng mga hayop,” Jose Bon, a resident, said.

Emiliano Cortezano said he reopened his small store briefly.

“Yung mga pamilya ko nandoon na, pero yung tindahan ko binuksan ko kahit saglit. May mga tao pa man dito,” he said.

Tabaco City Mayor Reynaldo Bragais said residents can bring their animals to a designated shelter.

“May animal shelter tayo sa San Antonio. Kasama ‘yun sa meeting namin ng city agriculturist. Sinabihan ang mga kapitan, pag may alagang hayop, dalhin sa animal center,” the mayor said.

Authorities said they will further tighten monitoring at checkpoints.

Residents living just outside the six-kilometer danger zone also expressed concern. While they are not yet required to evacuate, they said they are ready if conditions worsen.

“Ang iniisip po namin, pag maglakas ang bulkan, gasino na po ‘yang six PDZ ay abot na rin po kami,” Alfredo Vivar, one of the residents, said.

The city disaster office said areas within the extended buffer zones are already listed and prepared.

“Meron kaming data. Seven to eight-kilometer extended and buffer zones, documented na sila and ready for evacuation din po,” CDRRMO officer Gel Molato said.

Evacuees may stay in centers for three to four months during periods of heightened activity. The city government said more aid is coming from the Albay provincial government and the DSWD.

“Gulay, meat, and chicken. ‘Yun na lang po poproduce namin. Mag-uusap kami ngayon kung paano ‘yon sa budget,” Mayor Bragais said.

In Malilipot town, more than 1,000 residents have already evacuated from the six-kilometer danger zone. However, about 10 percent have yet to leave, as evacuation centers are running out of space.

“Ikot-ikot na lang kami, walang mapuntahan. Walang nag-a-assist kung saan may available,” one evacuee said.

Malilipot Mayor Cenon Volante urged residents not to return home.

“May gustong bumalik, sabi ko kung puwede, huwag na muna kasi nandiyaan naman ang military natin. Gagawan namin ng paraan para maging convenient sila sa evacuation center,” he said.

Authorities continue to monitor Mayon Volcano as residents brace for a potentially prolonged stay in evacuation centers.

(with reports from Ian Cruz, GMA Integrated News)