The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with other concerned agencies, is closely monitoring the Mayon Volcano situation following the alert level raised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs raised its alert level from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (increasing tendency towards a hazardous eruption) due to an increase in the volume and frequency of rockfall events.

Residents who live within 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) were advised to evacuate their homes due to the risks posed by the increasing volcanic activity in the area.

The DA’s Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO5) also advised farmers to move their animals to safer areas, and secure farm equipment and machinery. Additionally, an inventory of livestock population inside the 6-kilometer PDZ was being prepared.

The DA has also prepositioned hauling trucks at Tabaco City and Camalig, Albay Research; Outreach Stations, and updated its seed reserves.

The DA-Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Operations Center will continuously provide updates regarding Mayon Volcano. For inquiries, you may contact (02) 8929-0140/0966798704. ### (photo by Jhun Collantes, DA BICOL-RAFIS)