Residents near Mayon slopes prepare to evacuate

LAVA GLOW In this photo taken on Thursday, incandescent lava cascades from Mayon Volcano’s summit crater under a star-filled sky as the volcano remains under alert level 3. Authorities continueto enforce the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone amid heightened volcanic activity. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

LEGAZPI CITY—Residents living near the slopes of Mayon Volcano in Sto. Domingo, Albay, are asking to be voluntarily evacuated after a strong sulfur dioxide (SO2) odor and intensified rumbling heightened fears over the volcano’s escalating unrest.

Mylene Masarate, 42, of Barangay Sta. Misericordia, said her family was particularly worried about the health of their 4-year-old child. Their home is about 7 kilometers from the volcano.

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“Honestly, we really want to evacuate now because we are worried. Even early this morning, the sulfur smell was very strong. It’s frightening, especially at night, when we can hear the rumbling becoming so loud,” Masarate said in a phone interview on Friday.

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She said they had already prepared wood and plywood to rebuild a small hut in Barangay San Andres, their designated evacuation site

Residents in Sto. Domingo traditionally construct temporary huts in assigned vacant areas whenever Mayon becomes active. Masarate said her family first built their shelter in January, when the volcano’s unrest began, but it now requires repairs after parts were damaged.

Lorena Quising, 37, of Barangay Lidong, said the sulfur odor remained noticeable even after residents wore face masks during Thursday’s ashfall.

“We closed all the doors and windows, but we could still smell it inside the house,” she said.

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Lany Anonuevo, village chief of Lidong, said Zones 1, 3 and 5, located about 7 km to 8 km from Mayon, were the most affected.

She said the village was awaiting guidance from the local government but was ready to facilitate the voluntary evacuation of residents

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“In case the smell of sulfur comes back, the children, those with asthma, and senior citizens will be prioritized,” Anonuevo said in a separate interview.

A thin ashfall on Thursday affected the villages of Lidong, San Isidro, Sta. Misericordia, San Antonio, Fidel Surtida and San Fernando in Sto. Domingo.

Schools as shelters

Mayor Nomar “Bong” Banda said many residents expressed interest in leaving during monitoring activities in Barangay Lidong, prompting the municipal government to prepare evacuation centers and schools to accommodate affected families.

“My advice to residents in villages closest to Mayon is that if you are feeling anxious, especially those in vulnerable sectors, please inform your barangay captain or the municipal government. We will personally pick you up and bring you to an evacuation center,” Banda said during a live Facebook briefing.

He said the town would not wait for a mandatory evacuation order if residents’ safety is at risk.

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Banda directed local disaster response officials to place rescue vehicles on standby, prepare evacuation sites, including San Andres Central School, and advised residents to pack their belongings. Banda also assured evacuees that food packs and other assistance would be provided.