LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Albay Provincial Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office said that the provincial government is locating a group of mountaineers for violating an ordinance that prohibits climbing the summit of Mayon Volcano.
MAYON Volcano (Contributed photo by Rolly Esguerra)
Dorothy Colle, head of the Albay PTCAO, said they are identifying these individuals who violated Provincial Ordinance No. 0023-2016 – An Ordinance Prescribing Guidelines for Mayon Volcano Natural Park Trekking and Providing Penalties thereof – after blogger "Mudman" posted on his Facebook reel a video of him and six individuals descending Mayon Volcano with no protective gears at all on Wednesday, April 24.
Their video went viral and had 3,900 reactions, 2,500 shares, and 1,200 comments as of 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 25.
"Sa ngayon nilo-locate na po mga pangalan nung umakyat para mapatawan ng nararapat na penalty. Kung mahirap po na ma-locate, puwede naman po naming i-red tag ang mga pangalan sa NBI para hindi maka-kuha ng clearance (We are locating them for imposition of appropriate penalty. If they cannot be located, we can coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation so they would not be able to obtain a clearance)," Colle said.
Albay Gov. Edcel "Grex" Lagman shared the video and confirmed that the mountaineers did not obtain any permit from the PTCAO.
"Please be informed that Albay Tourism PTCAO has not issued any permit to these people to climb Mayon Volcano. Provincial Ordinance No. 2016-23 prohibits summit climbing. Violation includes a fine of maximum of P5,000. This video will be reported to PAMB for their proper action as well," Lagman said in a Facebook post.
The post had comments from netizens that are an insult to Albay authorities.
Department of Tourism (DOT)-Bicol Director Herbie Aguas said that climbing the Mayon Volcano summit is strictly prohibited under Albay Provincial Ordinance 2016-23.
"This is to ensure the safety of mountaineers and tourists. Activities inside the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone are strictly regulated to prevent the loss of lives and properties. In this regard, DOT-V is working closely with the provincial government of Albay and other government agencies concerned in investigating the video posted online showing backdoor climbers at Mayon's summit and in ensuring that no such similar violations will occur in the future,” Aguas said.
“DOT-V strongly discourages tourists from climbing Mayon Volcano as it remains restive with the threat of phreatic explosions that is extremely lethal. Furthermore, DOT-V reminds tourists to always avail themselves of the services of the DOT-accredited tour operators, guides, and establishments when visiting Bicol," Aguas added.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief Dr. Cedric Daep said that the local guide who assisted the mountaineers in climbing has a huge liability.
Daep sought the help of barangay officials around the slope of Mayon Volcano to enforce ordinances that prohibit activities within the PDZ to avoid accidents brought by sudden eruption.
In 2013, five climbers were killed and seven others were injured during a phreatic eruption of Mayon Volcano. The victims were local guide Jerome Berin and four Germans.
Mayon Volcano remains at Alert Level 1 or low level of unrest. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reiterated that this does not mean that the volcano's threat has completely ceased.