PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured on Monday, May 4, 2026, that the government is working to open all roads leading to and from areas affected by the unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay.
Ensuring Access for Aid
In an interview with reporters, Marcos said the opening of major thoroughfares aims to ensure that necessary assistance reaches the affected families. He stated, “We are working on opening all the thoroughfares so that everyone who needs to get in can enter, and everyone who needs to get out can leave.” He added, “I think we will be able to say that the thoroughfares will be open today, as long as there is no more eruption.”
Government Response and Evacuations
Marcos ordered on Sunday, May 3, 2026, the immediate mobilization of government agencies to assist communities affected by ashfall from the ongoing activity of Mayon Volcano, particularly in Guinobatan and Camalig, Albay. The focus is on protecting public health, ensuring safety, and keeping roads and essential services accessible.
- Road clearing operations have started to remove ash from major roads and ensure safe travel for residents and emergency responders.
- N95 face masks have been distributed to protect public health.
- The Department of Health deployed mobile clinics and water stations to address respiratory concerns and provide immediate medical assistance for coughing, difficulty breathing, and eye irritation.
Evacuation and Relief Efforts
Evacuation efforts are being implemented under the leadership of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Continuous monitoring and coordination ensure the safety of residents in high-risk areas. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing food and essential support to displaced families, with thousands of food packs, ready-to-eat meals, and other relief supplies prepositioned across the Bicol Region.
Volcanic Activity Update
As of May 4, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) reported that Mayon Volcano is under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified unrest or magmatic unrest. Over the past 24 hours, it recorded five volcanic earthquakes including four volcanic tremors, 411 rockfall events, and four pyroclastic density current signals, with moderate plume emission drifting west-southwest.
