GUINOBATAN, ALBAY – Four families (16 individuals) were evacuated from Barangay Muladbucad Grande on Friday, January 2, 2026, following frequent rockfalls from Mayon Volcano’s summit. The evacuation came a day after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised the volcano’s alert status to Level 2 (moderate unrest) due to increasing magmatic activity.
PHIVOLCS recorded 599 rockfall events in the last two months of 2025, with activity intensifying in late December (47 events on December 31 alone—the highest in a year). The unrest is linked to a growing lava dome and prolonged edifice swelling (inflation) since June 2024, signaling shallow magmatic processes that could lead to a hazardous eruption.
The 6-km Permanent Danger Zone remains strictly no-entry, with additional restrictions on tourism activities (e.g., ATV rides limited, no access to Mayon Skyline). Aviation authorities issued a no-fly advisory near the summit due to ash and ballistic risks.
Local officials in Guinobatan and nearby areas enforced patrols and prepared for possible further evacuations. Residents reported hearing crackling sounds from falling rocks, heightening anxiety in communities still recovering from past eruptions (e.g., 2018, 2023).
PHIVOLCS warns that persistent rockfall and swelling could precede a summit eruption, generating hazards like pyroclastic density currents and lava flows. Monitoring continues 24/7.
Current Status Snapshot:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Alert Level | 2 (Increasing unrest) |
| Rockfall Events | 599 (Nov-Dec 2025); 47 on Dec 31 |
| Evacuations | 4 families (16 people) from Muladbucad Grande |
| Danger Zone | 6-km radius strictly enforced |
| Potential Hazards | Rockfall, PDCs, lava flows, ashfall |
Stay safe, Albay residents—follow official advisories!