Thick smoke billows out from the crater of the Mayon Volcano, which has been acting up the past few days. (Photo by LINUS G. ESCDANDOR II)

Authorities have started enforcing mandatory evacuation for residents in critical areas around Mayon Volcano in Albay after volcanologists raised the alert level from 2 to 3 on Monday indicating imminent eruption, the police provincial commander said Wednesday.

Senior Supt. William Macavinta, the Albay police director, said they have already relocated a total of 4,858 families or 22,906 persons as of Wednesday morning to at least 13 evacuation centers in the towns of Daraga and Camalig and in Legazpi City.

“This is already a forced evacuation; we need to do this for their safety,” said Macavinta in a phone interview.

Macavinta said police and military operatives are doubling efforts to ensure the safety of residents living within the eight-kilometer extended danger zone because there are still more residents opting to stay in their homes.

Quoting the assessment of local disaster officials, Macavinta said there are at least 50,000 persons that need to be moved to safer grounds.

Most of the residents that are targeted for forced evacuation are in the southern quadrant of the volcano – affecting the towns of Camalig and Daraga and some parts of Legazpi City – which are the most likely to be affected in case of an eruption.

Since close to 23,000 persons have so far been moved out of their houses, Macavinta said there are at least 27,000 more persons, or some 5,000 families, who will be subjected to mandatory evacuation.

“We are rushing up things here for the safety of the local residents once a major eruption occurs. Based on the assessment of local officials, the forced evacuation will be finished within two days (or until Friday),” said Macavinta.

Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, spokesman of the Philippine National
Police, said more policemen have been deployed in the vicinity of Mayon to facilitate the evacuation of residents.

“Our personnel are also providing
security in evacuation centers and were ordered to provide traffic assistance,” said Espina.

While the forced evacuation would entail huge budgets for the basic needs of those who would be displaced, Macavinta said they have already assured local residents of enough supply of food, water, medicine
and other basic necessities for at least 50,000 persons in evacuation centers.

He said they are also banking on the past experiences of local disaster officials to ensure a smooth implementation of the mandatory evacuation.

“So far, we have enough provision for food and water; the assessment is that our supply could last up to 18 days,” said Macavinta.

Following the flow of lava from Mayon Volcano’s crater Monday, local authorities have started implementing public safety strategies including the suspension of classes in nearby schools.

Based on the alert level interpretation of the Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology, Alert Level 3 means eruption is possible within weeks as magma is already close to the crater. The volcano is also showing signs of high unrest, among them more frequent tremors and sustained crater glow.

Espina said classes in schools located within the eight-kilometer extended danger zone have already been suspended but Macavinta said local officials are also implementing measures in order not to affect the schooling of students.

Since the six schools near the volcano are also serving as evacuation centers, Macavinta said they are setting up tents to serve as alternate classrooms.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has also mobilized its emergency crews and equipment in Albay to assist in the evacuation.

“We have to make an effort to contribute to a zero casualty in the event that Mayon Volcano erupts," acting Public Works Secretary Victor Domingo said as he ordered DPWH personnel in Albay to coordinate with the provincial disaster coordinating council.

He said the DPWH regional office and its district engineering offices are now on red alert status, ready to respond to any eventuality.

Public Works Director Danilo Manalang of Region 5 said maintenance equipment and service vehicles are now stationed in critical areas identified by concerned agencies and are now being utilized in the evacuation and relief operations.

Manalang said the national roads that could be affected by volcanic debris are the Legazpi-Sto.Domingo-Tabaco Road, Daang Maharlika Highway-Camalig and Guinobatan road sections.

DPWH issued a traffic advisory to motorists traveling from Manila to Sorsogon/Legazpi City via the two road sections that they could take alternate routes such as the Camalig-Comun-Gapo national secondary road, Ligao-Tabaco Road, and Tabaco-Sto.Domingo-Legazpi City Road. (With a report from Raymund F. Antonio)