Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said Mayon now spews lava to as far as 4 km downslope from the crater. There were less explosion recorded within the last 24 hours, although those explosions were more powerful than the previous shooting ashes up to 2 KM high.

“Humina nang bahagya pero sustained ang pagka-abnormal (The explosions slightly weakened but the level of abnormal activity is sustained),” Solidum added. Solidum said it is “possible” an eruption by Mayon will be worse than the ejection of lava from the volcano in 2006.

At this time the state volcanologists kept the alert level there at 3 for the moment. The provincial government of Albay has so far responded well with its forced evacuation of residents in the danger zone, as part of its “zero casualty” policy.

The number of evacuees from danger areas in Mayon neared 40,000 as of Saturday as local authorities continued implementing forced evacuations.

Radio dzRH reported that as of Friday night, some 8,264 families or 39,320 people from 30 villages within the danger zone around the volcano have been moved into 24 evacuation centers.

Mayon’s danger zone extends up to eight kilometers from the volcano from the 3 kilometers danger zone which was declared few days ago.

Albay Governor Jose Salceda ordered the sustained rationing of five kilos of rice daily to each family. Reports said that Gov. Salceda also ordered local authorities to start packing up to 10,000 Noche Buena packs for families spending their Christmas in the evacuation centers.

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