LEGAZPI CITY — Several days after Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon spewed ashes, the temperamental Mt. Mayon has started to exhibit abnormalities which indicate possible explosion anytime.

        Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist warned the public to stay away from six-kilometer permanent danger zone to avoid untoward incident in the event Mt. Mayon explodes.

        Several days ago, Mayon volcano showed crater glow particularly during nighttime. “Crater glow was seen even without the aid of telescope. We maintained the Alert Level 1 status of Mt. Mayon,” Laguerta said.

        Residents along the slopes of Mt. Mayon told Bicol Mail that their wells are drying up and wild animals like pythons were seen leading to lower grounds.

        Cedric Daep, Albay Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office chief told Bicol Mail that over 4,000 farmers from 35 villages living within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone are at great risk if Mayon volcano explodes.

        Based on the baseline survey conducted by the APSEMO led by Daep, at least 4, 252 farmers were accounted as residing inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.

        Daep said that among the three cities of Albay, Tabaco has the most number of threatened persons with 1,167 from five barangays such as Buang, Comon, Buhian, Magapo and Oson followed closely by Ligao with 513 and Legazpi 430.

        The town of Camalig has a total of 857 threatened residents, Daraga, 428, Sto. Domingo, 349, Malilipot, 245, Guinobatan, 214 and Bacacay, 49.

        “In the event of sudden eruption these farmers are at great risk, he said.

        Economic and agricultural activities are active within the slopes of Mt. Mayon such as vegetable farming, animal raising, copra making and ornamental plants picking.

        Last February 2, 1993, at least 77 farmers died when Mt. Mayon suddenly exploded. Despite massive educational campaign conducted by the APSEMO, thousands of farmers continue to defy the warning of authorities not to venture within the six-kilometer radius danger zone.

        “Sudden explosion of the volcano is inevitable like in the case of Mt. Bulusan in Irosin Sorsogon which was placed under Level 1 after it spewed ashes last week. So, the danger of Mt. Mayon is that when she erupts, pyroclastic flows may spill in just a few minutes over the lowest portion of the crater rim because of its stiff feature,” Laguerta said.

        Out of 221 volcanoes spread over the seven volcanic belts in the country, 21 of them are considered active. Mayon Volcano, a stratovolcano is the most active among these volcanoes.

        Laguerta reiterated to the public not to venture within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone.