From a distance of 15 kms from the volcanos mouth-One can safely watch Mayons actual eruption

Its not all fear that settles in Albay province with the imminent

eruption of Mayon volcano, even as level no. 2 remained hoisted at

presstime. The volcano spewed gas and steam some two weeks ago.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) executive

director Reynaldo Punongbayan said that from a distance of 15 kilometers

from the volcanos mouth, we can watch and see the actual eruption, and this

is a major tourist attraction where both Filipino and foreign visitors can see

something which is a naturally spectacular, live.

Punongbayan ruled out any danger or risk to life within the distance of 15

kilometers.

The Phivolcs had warned some 15,000 Albay residents on the volcanos

slopes to immediately leave the area which is covered by the six-kilometer

danger zone, but many of the Mayon folk, apparently, did not need the

Phivolcs call.

No less than President Estrada and Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado

appealed to the residents to voluntarily evacuate, and cooperate with the

National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chaired by Mercado who had

directed the provincial NDCC provincial team to close in to residents to protect

human life.

However, Albay resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta reported that many

villagers returned to their homes on the lower slopes, understandably to check

their animals, vegetables and other farm produce which are their sources of

livelihood.

Mercado even asked traders not to take advantage of the situation, advising

them to buy the animals and farm produce of residents at fair and reasonable

price.

Mayon Volcano, described as the Philippines perfect cone, is itself a major

natural tourist attraction, and Punongbayan said, I am very sure, many will go

to see and watch the actual eruption. The Phivolcs chiefs note was sort of

announcing a very rare or one once-in-a-lifetime would-be happening, in that

even Filipino balikbayans and foreign vacationists started to have bookings

for Albay for the oncoming phenomenon.

Punongbayan, however, said no definite time when the eruption takes place,

so as other volcanologists. High frequency volcanic tremors were reported to

have taken place last Sunday, which according to volcanologists had lasted

for about 35-37 minutes.

The Philippines most beautiful volcano a 2,640-meter stretch and among the

the 22 active in the country had erupted 44 times. The worst was in 1814

when 1,200 people got killed, burying a whole town. Its last eruption was in

1993 with a death toll of 77.

The death toll recorded in the Mayon eruptions in the past, looks sideswiped,

however, by the next eruption as excitement is now in the reign for human

eyes and history.

[ Mayon Volcano Wiki ]