The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday directed local chief executives (LCEs) to enforce strict restrictions on entry within the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone of the Bulusan Volcano following its phreatic eruption.
The order aligns with recommendations from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which has warned of potential hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfalls, avalanches, and ashfall.
Heightened monitoring is also required in the extended danger zone on the southeast sector.
In an official advisory, the DILG urged local governments to implement Operation Listo protocols for volcanic eruptions and collaborate closely with their Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs).
Residents in affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions, including wearing face masks or using damp cloths to avoid inhaling volcanic ash. Communities in low-lying areas and along river channels are also being cautioned about the risk of sediment-laden streamflows, or lahars, during heavy rains.
The DILG has also coordinated with aviation authorities to warn pilots against flying near Bulusan Volcano’s summit.
As of the latest regional reports, over 29,000 individuals in 25 barangays across Sorsogon have been impacted by the volcanic activity. Local government units are currently assisting affected residents, including 1,132 families from Buraburan, Guruyan, Calmayon, Catanusan, and Puting Sapa, who are experiencing limited access to safe drinking water.
