PHILIPPINES: MOUNT MAYON VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

UNCLAS MANILA 002998 SIPDIS RDMA BANGKOK FOR TOM DOLAN SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TPHY EINV CASC EAGR PREL EAID RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES: MOUNT MAYON VOLCANIC ACTIVITY ¶1. Mount Mayon, 300 kilometers (180 miles) southeast of Manila, is experiencing high levels of seismic activity and lava flows reaching 800 meters downwards from the summit. Experts here expect minimal impact on Manila, possibly increased particulates in the air. Residents within the 6-kilometer radius of the volcano are advised to prepare for potential evacuation. Currently there are 9 municipalities within the 15-kilometer radius with approximately 100,000 households. If the alert level rises from 3 to 4, GRP officials estimate approximately 30,000 residents will be evacuated. According to the Lignon Hill Observatory, the volcano is relatively small and most of the damage is expected to occur in the Bonga Valley region, a rural agricultural area within the 6-kilometer radius. ¶2. American Citizens Services issued a warden message cautioning against travel to the volcano's danger zone. The Philippine Country Information Sheet includes information about volcano eruptions. Six Peace Corps volunteers are located in Albay province, none within the 6-kilometer radius. The Peace Corps has a warden system in place for the volunteers, who have emergency equipment, and a Peace Corps staff member is going to the region to check on them. Two USAID contractors are located in Legaspi City, also outside the 6-kilometer radius. There are no known American businesses in the region. ¶3. The Embassy Management Section is monitoring the situation and initiating preparedness measures. The Embassy Medical Unit is preparing a fact sheet for Embassy employees. The Economic Section is in contact with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS),and receiving regular updates, and USAID's Regional Disaster Assistance Office in Bangkok is monitoring the situation. The Embassy will continue to monitor activity at Mount Mayon. KENNEY