The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has raised the status of Mt. Mayon to Alert Level 3, indicating that the volcano has reached a higher level of volcanic unrest. 

According to PHIVOLCS, in this condition, steam or ash explosions become more energetic and frequent, potentially involving lava extrusion and rockfall.

“More energetic and frequent steam/ash explosions. Sustained increases in the temperature, acidity and volcanic gas concentrations of springs and fumaroles, and in the levels of ground deformation or swelling of the edifice. Activity at the summit may involve sluggish lava extrusion with resultant rockfall,” based on PHIVOLCS criteria.

PHIVOLCS further reported that the occurrence of Pyroclastic Density Current (PDC), or locally known as uson, began at 12:26 PM (January 6, 2026). The PDC lasted more than two minutes and descended within two kilometers from the crater. This is also classified as the most dangerous volcanic hazard due to the combination of fire, ash, and volcanic gases. 

The agency anticipates the potential occurrence of lava flow, minor explosive eruptions, lava fountaining, and even the escalation of the alert level.

The Chief of the Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (PHIVOLCS), Ma. Antonia Bornas explained the possibility of escalating the alert level of Mt. Mayon.

"Maaari pong tayong magtaas ng Alert Level 4. Magkakaroon po tayo ng explosive eruption. Hopefully, makikita po natin ito sa ating monitoring parameters lalong lalo na po yung pagtaas ng Sulfur Dioxide na siya pong mangangahulugan na mayroong mabilis na umaakyat na magma,” she said

[“We can escalate it to Alert Level 4, wherein we’ll have the explosive eruption. Hopefully, we will see it on our monitoring parameters, especially the increase of Sulfur Dioxide, which will signify that there’s a  rapid ascent of magma.”] 

Furthermore, the PHIVOLCS recommends the immediate evacuation of residents within the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered the execution of the “No Entry Policy” and forced evacuation within a 6-km (PDZ).

With reports from Ryan Salatandol, Evan Alvarez, and Marje Pelayo