[UPDATE 7] The Bicol Movement for Disaster Response Inc. reports:

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted as Mayon Volcano critical status intensifies further. Hazardous explosive eruption of the volcanean type within days is very possible.  Lava fountain and ash explosion now reaches about 1 kilometer from the crater. Hundreds of low frequency earthquakes and tremors are recorded almost daily. Rumbling sounds is very audible even in the expanded high risk zone (6-8 kilometers).  Lava flow down slope is now reaching about 6 kilometers from the summit  now reaching  about 20 million tones.

Total number of evacuees by now is  10,032 families or 47,562 individuals  distributed in 27 overcrowded evacuation centers coming from 32 barangays/villages.   According to authorities, the evacuees will stay at the evacuation centers for 45 days minimum to 87 days maximum

The evacuees needs include foodstuff, mats/beddings, water containers/drinking water, personal hygiene kit, medicines.

Read the latest report below from the BMDR as of December 26, 2009 (with some photos):

BMDR appeal for support as of December 26

[UPDATE 6] Get the Mayon situationer report as of 7:00 pm of December 25, 2009, issued by the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

[UPDATE 5] For Filipinos overseas and those of our non-Filipino friends who wish to send donations for Mayon evacuees, you may remit them at your nearest bank using the following details

  • Account Name: Bicol Movement for Disaster Response Inc.
  • Bank Name: Metrobank
  • Bank Branch: Rizal St., Legaspi City Branch 
  • US Dollar Account Number: 138-2-138-0081-8
  • SWIFT Code: MBTCPHMM

[UPDATE 4] Drop-off centers for relief aid for Mayon evacuees now include:

  • Citizens Disaster Response Center: 72-A Times St., West Triangle, Quezon City
  • Center for Health and Development: 5 Examiner St., West Triangle, Quezon City
  • Krus na Ligas Barangay Hall, Diliman Quezon City
  • 45 K-7 St.,West Kamias, Quezon City
  • Bicol Movement for Disaster Response: 664 Encarnacion Bldg., Barangay 17, Rizal St., Legazpi City
  • Tarabang Para sa Bicol Inc.: 49 1st Park Subd, Bgy Sagpon, Daraga, Albay
  • Red Cross Albay-Legaspi Chapter: Gov. Locsin corner Maria Clara Sts., Legaspi City

[UPDATE 3] As of 4:00 pm of December 21, 2009, the Bicol Movement for Disaster Response reports that there were already 45,358 persons or 9,428 families from 32 barangays who are now staying in 27 evacuation centers in Albay.

[UPDATE 2] Folks in Metro Manila who wish to send relief aid to people of Albay, you may drop them off at the Citizens Disaster Response Center at 72-A Times St., West Triangle, Quezon City. Their office telephone number is 02-9299820.

[UPDATE 1] As of 4:00 pm of December 20, 2009, the Albay provincial government says that 44,394 persons or 9,217 families have been sent to 25 evacuation Centers. The Bicol Movement for Disaster Response has aired an appeal for relief aid.

About 35,000 have so far been evacuated out of the “danger zone” near Mount Mayon volcano south of Manila in anticipation of what volcanologists warn could be a catastrophic eruption.

According to the Tarabang para sa Bicol Inc. (TABI), an disaster response institution in the Bicol region, 21 public elementary and high schools in Albay have become the temporary shelter of 30,761 Bicolanos from 6,559 families about a week ahead of Christmas. 

TABI notes that Mayon is the Philippines most active volcano, having erupted 50 times in the past 400 years.

Why tens of thousands still insist on living near this volcano is not difficult to understand. Fertile land along the slopes and at the foot of Mayon provide them food and livelihood. Now, not only their livelihood is threatened by a Mayon eruption, but their very lives as well.

TABI has issued a call for donations for the benefit of the evacuees. The institution’s executive director, Maricris Binas, says cash and check donations may be deposited at any Banco de Oro branch, under account number 1810089873 and account name Tarabang para sa Bicol Inc. 

Duly-registered with the government, TABI is an affiliate of the Citizens’ Disaster Response Network (CDRN) and a member of the Council for Health Development (CHD).

For inquiries on how you can help Bicolanos, you may contact TABI through mobile number +63 929 7026602  or telefax  number +63 52 4832453.

You can also send relief aid to the Bicol Movement for Disaster Response (BMDR). You may reach them +63 907 9500464 or +63 908 6199038.  

BMDR also accepts cash and check deposits via Metrobank, account number 138-3-13812130-6, under account name Bicol Movement for Disaster Response.

Both TABI and BMDR are experienced disaster relief agencies that specialize in community-based disaster management. They have helped Bicolanos cope with typhoons and floods in recent years.

With Bicolanos going out of their way to send relief aid when the rest of Luzon suffered from Ondoy (Ketsana), its our turn to help Bicolandia.