Phivolcs: Raising Mayon's alert level unlikely for now

MANILA -- Raising Mayon

Volcano's alert status from Level 3 (increased tendency towards hazardous eruption) to Level 4 is unlikely for now, the chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

In a public briefing, Phivolcs officer in charge Teresito Bacolcol said they are considering several parameters before increasing a volcano's alert level.

"Kapag dumadami po iyong earthquake na naitala natin, kapag nagkakaroon na po ng lava fountaining, dumadami iyong rock fall events natin, dumadami iyong pyroclastic density current events, iyon po ang mga indikasyon na itataas natin to Alert

Level 4. Pero so far, hindi pa po natin nakikita iyan ngayon (If we record an increase in earthquakes; when there's lava fountaining; increased rockfall events, pyroclastic density current -these are indications that we need to increase Mayon's alert level to Level 4. We don't see these indicators so far)," he said.

Another parameter he cited is an increase in sulfur dioxide emission.

"Yesterday, we recorded 389 tonnes of sulfur dioxide, which is low compared to the average 500 tonnes per day that the volcano usually emits," he said.

Alert Level 4 means a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.

Under Alert Level 3, on the other hand, Mayon is exhibiting magmatic eruption of a summit lava dome, with increased chances of lava flows and hazardous pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) affecting the upper to middle slopes of the volcano and of potential explosive activity within weeks or days.

Bacolcol said Mayon Volcano continues to exhibit effusive eruption, which means magma is slowly released. The lava flow reaches 2.5 km. away from the crater, along the Mi-isi gully, and 1.8 km. along the Bonga gully.

"The debris brought about by rockfalls and PDCs have reached 3.3 km. from the crater," he added.

Bacolcol noted that only seven PDCs, 299 rockfall events, and two volcanic earthquakes were recorded at the Mayon Volcano from Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday.

He said these parameters are similar to what the Mayon Volcano was exhibiting in 2014. "We hope that this (trend in) parameters will not change, so the eruption will just be effusive," he said.

The Phivolcs chief also said that extending the 6-kilometer (km) permanent danger zone (PDZ) to seven-km. is unlikely at this time. This is because lava flows slowly, around 350 meters towards the steep slope, per day, Bacolcol explained.

"We don't see an indication that we need to extend the PDZ," he said.

P74-M aid extended to communities hit by Mayon unrest

The government has provided PHP73.9 million worth of assistance to communities affected by the ongoing unrest of the Mayon Volcano.

In its Wednesday update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said assistance extended includes distilled water, assorted clothes, hygiene kits, tents and shelter materials, family food packs, sleeping kits, and fuel.

As of this posting, 10,171 families or 39,057 persons residing in 26 barangays in the Bicol region have been affected by Mayon's increasing activity. About 5,466 families or 18,999 persons are being sheltered in 28 evacuation centers. The rest are being aided by relatives and friends.

PBBM assurance on WASH facilities for Mayon evacuees lauded Albay Representative Joey Salceda on Tuesday expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his assurance that the national government will assist with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in evacuation centers amid Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest.

“Cleanliness is central to Filipino dignity. That’s why we are very thankful that the President has given his assurance of support for these facilities in evacuation centers,” Salceda said in a statement.

He said sanitation concerns will compound for prolonged evacuation, adding that the lack of WASH facilities also increases the risks of diseases.

Salceda said Albay lawmakers will continue to work with the House leadership headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez to get the necessary funding for these facilities.

Salceda, meanwhile, requested for continued support from the national government as the lava flow from Mayon Volcano's summit dome has reached a "maximum length" of 2.5 kilometers according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

“The rumblings continue and the danger remains. We respectfully request the continued support of the national government for local governments with evacuees. The primary responsibility for evacuees lies with LGUs (local government units), but we really need national government support to keep people safe,” Salceda said.

“LGUs who have evacuated their people have made the decision that early evacuation is necessary to protect the lives of their people. But they need help. That is why we have repeatedly expressed our gratitude to the national government for its steadfast support of evacuation efforts," he added.

He said the crucial ingredient to zero-casualty is sufficient resources, highlighting that the national government has been “extremely supportive.”

“Zero-casualty can be a very expensive objective – but it is embedded in our constitution, our culture, and our values that there is nothing more expensive than the loss of human life,” Salceda said.

Salceda added that due to the "protracted nature of Mayon evacuations, we will need not only food and economic assistance, but also health, safety, educational and psychosocial support.”

“We definitely need provisions for more social workers, more health workers and facilities to allow continued learning in evacuation centers. Evacuation should be minimally disruptive of the economic and social life of evacuees,” he said.

Marcos has reiterated that the government is ready to provide the necessary assistance to the families who have been displaced due to Mayon’s increasing volcanic activity.

He acknowledged that Mayon’s unrest could last for a few months.

In a media interview on the sidelines of the International Trade Forum at the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City on Thursday, Marcos said all available resources will be tapped to help Mayon evacuees, stressing that the government must be “sensitive” to the needs of the affected residents in Albay province.

Mayon Volcano's restiveness has forced nearly 18,000 individuals to stay in evacuation centers in the province’s six towns and two cities.

Marcos on Wednesday visited the Guinobatan Community College evacuation center to assess the condition of the displaced families and lead the distribution of government assistance.

In a situation briefing at the Albay Astrodome, Marcos said concerned government agencies must provide relief assistance to Mayon evacuees for 90 days, the estimated maximum period of unrest of the volcano.

PBBM guarantees aid for evacuees until Mayon Volcano calms down President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed relief that displaced families in Albay province are still in “good condition,” despite Mayon Volcano’s continuing unrest.

In his weekly vlog uploaded on his official Facebook page, Marcos said he visited Albay to check on the condition of the evacuees.

“Pinuntahan din natin ang ating mga kababayan sa Bicol na apektado sa pagputok ng Bulkang Mayon. Ang naabutan naman namin doon ay maayos naman at maganda ang kalagayan ng ating mga evacuee. Kahit papaano ay nabigyan sila ng lugar at nabibigyan sila ng mga tulong (We visited our countrymen in Bicol affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest. What we saw is the evacuees are in good condition),” Marcos said.

Marcos also reiterated that the government is ready to provide the necessary assistance to the families who have been displaced because of Mayon’s increasing volcanic activity.

He acknowledged that Mayon’s unrest could last for a few months.

“Baka tumagal pa ng ilang mga buwan ang kanilang pagka-evacuate hanggang matigil na ang pagputok ng Bulkang Mayon (They may be forced to evacuate for months until Mayon Volcano’s activity stops),” Marcos said.

“Kaya pinaghahandaan nating mabuti na kahit tumagal, ay handa ang pamahalaan na bigyan ng tulong doon sa mga na-evacuate sa six-kilometer radius ng Bulkang Mayon (That’s why, we are making sure that if it lasts for months, the government is ready to provide assistance to those who evacuate because they are living within the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone of Mayon Volcano).”

In a media interview on the sidelines of the International Trade Forum at the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City on Thursday, Marcos said all available resources will be tapped to help Mayon evacuees, stressing that the government must be “sensitive” to the needs of the affected residents in Albay province.

Mayon Volcano's restiveness has forced nearly 18,000 individuals to stay in evacuation centers in the province’s six towns and two cities.

Marcos on Wednesday visited the Guinobatan Community College evacuation center to assess the condition of the displaced families and lead the distribution of government assistance.

In a situation briefing at the Albay Astrodome, Marcos said concerned government agencies must provide relief assistance to Mayon evacuees for 90 days, the estimated maximum period of unrest of the volcano.

Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3. (MNS)

MANILA -- The government continues to monitor transactions in the digital space to protect the public against scammers and abusive online lenders, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Thursday as he warned the people against the threat and risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI).

“We continue to monitor very closely and do all that we can,” President Marcos said during an interview after attending the 85th Anniversary of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as Company Registrar at the SEC Headquarters in Makati City.

“The SIM card registration I think was a big step and I think we are getting to the point where we have disposed of or taken out of the system many of the SIM cards that have not been registered because they have been used for illegal purposes.”

Everybody, he said, must be “very, very watchful and careful” and also be aware of the new technologies that are being introduced to prevent the people from being duped by scammers.

Marcos advised the public that when people get a message and there is a deal being presented and it sounds too good to be true, they should proceed with caution.

“There is no such thing as 100 percent risk-free. There is no way to guarantee these enormous returns on what they are claiming, on the money that you put, that you give them,” he said.

“If the public is aware and knows and is able to spot because of the way that these scams are presented, then that is the best defense that we have.”

Asked by reporters about punishing scammer involved in such schemes, the President said anyone found guilty of promoting such scams will have to be dealt with using the full force of the law.

But the big challenge is finding those people who do not usually maintain identifiable offices or establishments while they operate, he said.

“These are people sitting in somebody’s basement with a computer, which they can just shut down, sell away, buy a new one, and keep going. So, that’s the trouble that we are finding now,” he pointed out.

“The best that we can do, there are certain instances, especially when they’re very large-scale that we can find exactly where it’s coming from. But again, it’s very movable — these are not offices, corporate offices in a big building.”

NTC: Registered SIMs breached 100M as of mid-June

The number of mobile phone users who registered their SIMs or subscriber identification modules has breached 100 million as of the middle of June, over a month before the extended SIM registration expires.

Data from the SIM registration update posted on the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) website showed that a total of 100,048,884 SIMs were registered as of June 20, 2023.

The number accounts for 59.55% of the total 168,016,400 subscriber base.

Late April, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the 90-day extension of the SIM registration period or until July 25 from the original deadline of April 26.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is looking to register 70% of the total subscriber base to capture the “legitimate” SIM users.

The DICT will gradually deactivate some SIM services such as access to social media accounts and loss of ability to make outgoing call as the 90-day additional registration period moves forward.

Broken down, the 100.048 million registered SIMs are composed of 47.272 million Smart subscribers, accounting for the 71.30% of the company’s total 66.304 million subscriber base.

Globe followed with 45.868 million registered SIMs or 52.88% of its 86.746 million total subscribers.

DITO Telecommunity’s registered subscribers reached 6.908 million or 46.16% of its 14.964 million total customers.

PBBM seeks SEC help to promote PH as ‘investment destination’

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to help his administration promote the Philippines as a “safe and proactive” investment hub.

Marcos made the call, as he joined the SEC’s 85th anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Makati City.

In a keynote speech, Marcos vouched for SEC’s competence, saying it has become “a reliable regulator of corporate and capital markets and a staunch protector of our people and their investments.”

“I know that I can count on each of you to help promote our country as an investment destination— one that is safe, that is orderly, and proactive; and one that can uphold the rights and welfare of our investors and consumers to their mutual benefits,” he said.

Marcos also called on SEC to help the business sector and transform it as an “agent of social and economic transformation.”

He expressed optimism that more local businesses will reach even greater heights for a “more robust and equitable” economy.

“Throughout the commission’s existence, the SEC has helped create an environment that benefits the business and investment sectors,” Marcos said. “As we are now deep in our efforts to fully transform our economy, it is my hope that your role in our collective growth remains clear so that businesses will not only thrive, but will also become agents of our economic and social transformation.”

Digitalization efforts

Marcos also lauded the SEC personnel for their commitment to improve the services offered by the country’s company registrar.

He called on SEC to continue its digitalization initiatives in pursuit of “sustainable finance and good corporate governance.”

This, as the commission introduced its new digital services, which include the Electronic SEC Universal Registration Environment (eSECURE); the Electronic SEC Education, Analysis, and Research Computing Hub (eSEARCH); SEC API Marketplace, Electronic Registry Application for Market Participants (eRAMP), and the SEC Check App 2.0.

Marcos said the programs will enable SEC to be a “reliable partner” in efforts to digitalize government procedures and services.

“Your openness to achieving digital transformation has likewise been integral to fostering business formation and for growth,” he said, stressing that the innovations pursued by the commission employ a “more modern, more efficient, and more secure approach in managing stakeholders and their data.”

“Through the digital reforms that you have put in place, you have made it easier for corporations to comply with the requirements and maintain a good standing in the business community,” Marcos added.

The SEC acts as the Philippines’ corporate registrar by virtue of Commonwealth Act 287 enacted on June 3, 1938.

It is mandated to perform all functions relative to the registration of corporations and associations.

Marcos wants PH Open Government Partnership institutionalized President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday directed the institutionalization of the Philippine Open Government Partnership (PHOGP), which he said is vital in implementing governance reforms.

Through Executive Order No. 31, Marcos said the directive aims "to further strengthen the engagement of government and non-government champions."

"There is a need to institutionalize the PH-OGP as a mechanism for the delivery of more effective and sustainable actions to address current social concerns."

The PH-OGP is hereby institutionalized as a multistakeholder partnership responsible for overseeing and implementing the country's commitments to the open government partnership.

Under EO No. 31, the PH-OGP, through its steering committee, shall ensure that open government values are embedded in government policies and programs.

The committee will set the direction, programs, and activities of the PH-OGP and promote open and participatory governance through advocacy and outreach activities.

The PH-OGP national action plan shall contain commitments from the government, which shall be co-created through a multistakeholder process.

The national action plan shall also embody a concrete set of actions, composed of government programs and projects that conform to the OGP values, the EO stated.

(MNS)