THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Bicol Regional Director Engr. Ma. Socorro Abu, Ph. D. has confirmed that the air quality in Albay remains in good condition and in satisfactory state amidst the increasing unrest of Mayon Volcano.
“Ok ang air quality wala pa dapat na ipangamba ang ating mga kababayan,” Abu assured in an interview.
She further explained that the PM10 parameter, employed to assess air quality, consistently falls within the ‘good’ classification. When the air quality index is categorized as ‘good,’ it signifies a satisfactory overall air quality.
She said that according to their monitoring, the air quality in the cities of Legazpi Tabaco and Ligao, including the town of Guinobatan Albay indicates that the ambient air quality is satisfactory.
“Okay naman kasi, we have health guidelines, yung sinusunod namin yung color coding, yung may green may yellow, may red pero, nasa green siya. . . pumasa sya sa standards ng DENR based on RA 8749 so we conduct air quality monitoring at pasado siya,” she said.
She further elaborated that the ash puffs from that belched from the crater of Mayon do not particularly go down in the land amidst the notable increasing record of lava flow and rockfall events.
“So ibig sabihin, yung particular pattern, nasa upper air hindi naman bumababa so hindi siya mabigat kasi kung mabigat siya at bumaba siya at lumagpas na siya sa standards magkakaroon na tayo ng ashfall. Salamat naman sa Panginoon na wala pa sana hindi na yun mangyari,” said Abu.
She also asked the public to pray that Mayon will not worsen its state as the air quality will also be affected that can cause different respiratory health problems in the nearby residents.
Moreover, Abu said that wearing facemask in the 7 kilometer to 8 kilometer extended danger zone remains optional. LBarcena, Albay PIO
