Phivolcs Lowers Mayon Alert Level, Classes in Albay to Resume Jan 4

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has lowered the alert level on Mayon Volcano from four (4) to three (3) after the government agency had studied the sudden drop of volcanic activities.

Alert Level 3 means there is less probability of a hazardous explosive eruption, but that the state of unrest of the volcano has not ceased.

As a result of this, officials of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), AFP, and the local government of Albay are currently undertaking efforts towards the decamping of the evacuees who are residents within the volcano's danger zone.

News of the lower alert level was greeted with much welcome by the evacuees who had abandoned their homes since December of last year.

In the meantime, school classes disrupted by the eruptive activities of Mayon Volcano in Albay which saw the temporary conversion of classrooms to evacuation centers will resume on Monday, January 4, 2010.

Albay Governor Joey S. Salceda, who also chairs the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), ordered the resumption of classes in schools decamped by evacuees from within the seven to eight-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDEZ) of the volcano after Phivolcs lowered Mayon's alert level.

Salceda ordered, however, that residents from within the six-km PDZ must remain in the evacuation centers until directed otherwise.

To ensure that school facilities are in order for the resumption of classes, Salceda directed the Bureau of Fire Protection in Albay to spearhead the school cleanup.

In a related move, Salceda directed all agencies concerned, including provincial government departments, to immediately conduct damage assessments and submit their reports and recommendations to the PDCC as soon as possible. (PNA)