DoST chief urges strict observance of Mayon 6-km danger zone amid life-threatening risks
The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) on Tuesday urged residents near Mayon Volcano to strictly avoid entering its 6-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ), citing hazards that could be fatal amid its ongoing unrest.
DoST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. warned that although the volcano is not exhibiting an explosive eruption, its ongoing effusive activity鈥攎arked by the slow outflow of lava鈥攕till poses risks, as accumulated lava on the slopes may collapse and trigger landslides.
鈥淏ecause it is very hot and contains a lot of gas, it can cause severe burns, and if you are caught in it and buried in ash, you could die due to lack of oxygen,鈥 Mr. Solidum told reporters during the implementation presentation of PHITEST (Philippine Technology Evaluation and Standards for Testing) on Tuesday in Filipino.
鈥淭hat is why people are being advised to stay away from the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone,鈥 he added.
The secretary also urged residents to wear face masks, or use wet cloth as an alternative during ashfall events.
He likewise recommended staying indoors and closing all possible entry points.
鈥(Also) don鈥檛 drive, as it is slippery during ashfall and can sometimes cause zero visibility,鈥 Mr. Solidum said.
Amid the ongoing unrest, he also said that no increase in parameters has been observed that would prompt a rise to Alert Level 4 from the prevailing Alert Level 3.
As of this writing, a pyroclastic density current (PDC) due to lava flow collapse was reported at Mayon Volcano between 7:19 am and 7:26 am Tuesday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in a Facebook post.
The PDC occurred along the Mi-isi gully on the southwestern slopes of the volcano. 鈥 Edg Adrian A. Eva
