By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Tourism (DOT) advised the public to monitor updates when traveling to areas near the Mayon Volcano in Albay and the Taal Volcano in Taal.
Mayon Volcano and Taal Volcano are under Alert Level 3 and Alert Level 1, respectively.
“While tourism activities in areas outside the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) are allowed, everyone is cautioned of the Phivolcs-DOST advisory ‘that Mayon is exhibiting magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous Pyroclastic density currents affecting the upper to middle sloped of the volcano and potential explosive activity within weeks or even days’,” DOT said in an advisory.
“As such, human activities, including tourism-related activities including, but not limited, to mountain climbing, ATV tour, and any tourism promotion, are now strictly prohibited within the PDZ,” the department added.
Meanwhile, the tourism department noted that tourism activities outside the PDZ of Taal Volcano are “generally safe.”
“However, entry to Taal Volcano Island, especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures is strictly prohibited,” DOT said, adding that boating on Taal Lake is also not allowed.
“The traveling public and tourism stakeholders living within the concerned areas are reminded to refrain from entering identified high-risk areas and to stay updated on emergency information and alerts issued by verified authorities,” DOT added.
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