VZCZCXRO1777
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2998 1990912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 180912Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2053
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/HQ PACAF HICKAM AFB HI IMMEDIATE

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