LEGAZPI CITY – Although Mt. Mayon’s volcanic activities have subsides during the past 24 hours, the volcano might be gathering enough pressure for an explosive eruption, Renato Solidum, chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs), said in a radio interview here last Wednesday.

        Philvolc’s daily bulletin on Mt. Mayon showed that the number of volcanic quakes had decrease from 109 to only 21. Sulfur dioxide (so2) emission had also declined from 12,745 tons per day to 7,829 tons per day. But it is still high because the normal sulfur dioxide emission is only 500 tons per day.

        Asked if these are indicators that the volcano would no longer have a hazardous eruption, Solidum replied: “No, because if the number of SO2 emission had declined, it means that the volcano might be gathering enough pressure for an explosive eruption.”

        Meanwhile, the number of evacuees has increased from 24,506 on Tuesday to 39,422 persons as of 12 noon on Wednesday but the evacuation is still going on. However, some evacuees, especially the men have refused to heed the mandatory evacuation saying that they still have to watch their belongings and farm animals.

        Director Nestor Santiago of the Department of Health (DoH) regional office and Dr. Luis Mendoza of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) have recommended to Gov. Fernando Gonzalez, chairman, Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), to decongest the over-crowded 17 evacuation centers located in three cities and five municipalities of Albay. Santiago said that the standard ratio is 20 persons per classroom.

        Dr. Luis Mendoza said the joint PHO-DOH monitoring teams found out that 52 of the evacuees were suffering from respiratory diseases. “But these respiratory diseases have been acquired in their respective communities,” he explained.

        Mendoza pointed out that under the ‘ladderized policy’ of the PDCC, the towns’ local chief executives should first spend their 5 percent calamity fund. After they have run out of money, the provincial government will come to their aid.

        Mayor Gary Belisano of Malilipot (a 5th class town) has asked the national and provincial governments for financial assistance because the calamity funds of his town would last only until Friday (Aug. 11).

        Local government executives have also appealed for donations in cash or in kind including used clothes, mats, mosquito nets or cartoons.

        The Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) have been coordinating with the PDCC in providing assistance to the evacuees.

        As this developed, President Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to fly to Legazpi City on Saturday to visit the evacuees.