5 Joggers Flee as Mayon Volcano Spews 300-Meter Ash Plume on Saturday Afternoon

Camalig, Albay — At least five joggers were forced to flee as Mayon Volcano belched a thick ash column reaching 300 meters above its crater on Saturday afternoon,May 2, 2026. The event, recorded around 3:00 p.m. local time, sent a dense cloud of ash drifting toward western-northwestern communities, including areas near Camalig where the joggers were caught in the open.

Video footage obtained by News5 Everywhere and verified by PinoyPulse shows the runners sprinting away from an advancing ash cloud along a dirt path at the volcano's base. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has not yet issued an official bulletin, but local disaster officials confirmed a phreatic eruption or ash venting episode occurred without immediate seismic precursors.

Ash Plume Details and Visual Evidence

The 300-meter ash plume was captured in at least three separate social media posts from Saturday afternoon. A video shared by NorthCotabatoToday shows the column rising vertically before being sheared by moderate winds at altitude. In another clip from News5 Everywhere, the ash cloud appears to blanket the sky over Camalig, reducing visibility dramatically within minutes.

According to an Instagram post by a local observer, the ash drift moved westward-northwestward, affecting barangays such as Suag and Anoling in Camalig, and potentially parts of Guinobatan and Jovellar. No evacuation orders have been declared as of press time, but the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (APDRRMO) advised residents to wear face masks and limit outdoor exposure.

Eyewitness Accounts: Joggers Caught Off Guard

In a separate video posted by Storm Chasers PH, five joggers are seen running away from a rapidly approaching ash cloud. One jogger, who asked not to be named, told local media that they were about 2 kilometers from the crater when they noticed the plume rising. "We just saw a dark column and then heard a rumbling sound. We ran as fast as we could," he said.

The joggers reached a nearby barangay hall where they were provided with face masks and temporary shelter. No injuries have been reported, but the incident highlights the unpredictable nature of Mayon's activity.

PHIVOLCS Alert Status and Monitoring

As of the latest update from PHIVOLCS, Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 2 (moderate unrest), which it has maintained since October 2025. Alert Level 2 indicates that magma is likely at a shallow depth and that hazardous eruptions are possible. The agency warned that sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions like Saturday's event can occur without warning.

PHIVOLCS resident volcanologist Dr. Maria Lourdes Catane stated in a previous briefing that "the public should avoid the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone and be vigilant for increased seismic activity or ground deformation." The 300-meter ash plume recorded Saturday falls below the threshold for a full eruption but is still considered significant for public safety.

Health and Safety Precautions for Affected Areas

Ashfall from the plume may cause respiratory irritation, especially for individuals with asthma or other lung conditions. The APDRRMO recommends that residents in affected barangays stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and use N95 masks or damp cloths over the mouth and nose when going outside.

Livestock and pets should also be sheltered. Ash can contaminate water sources and damage crops, particularly rice paddies and coconut plantations in the region. Farmers are advised to cover water tanks and feed supplies. For more information on volcano preparedness, visit the [PHIVOLCS website](https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph).

Historical Context and Previous Events

Mayon Volcano, known for its perfect cone shape, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. Its most recent major eruption was in January 2018, which displaced over 80,000 people and destroyed farmlands worth millions of pesos. The current Alert Level 2 has been in place since July 2024, with intermittent ash emissions recorded in February 2025 and March 2026.

Saturday's event is the third ash emission in the last two months, suggesting a possible increase in activity. PHIVOLCS has deployed additional monitoring instruments to track any changes in gas output or seismicity.

Comparison to Other Recent Volcanic Activity

In contrast, the Taal Volcano in Batangas remains under Alert Level 1 (abnormal condition) as of April 2026, while Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Oriental is under Alert Level 2. The heightened activity across multiple volcanoes underscores the need for continuous monitoring by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Significance for Filipino Readers

For the 1.2 million residents of Albay province, the May 2 ash plume is a stark reminder of the ever-present risk from the country's most iconic volcano. Unlike distant disasters, this event directly affected joggers and local residents in Camalig, demonstrating that even moderate volcanism can pose immediate threats to daily life. Preparedness measures, such as having go bags and evacuation routes ready, are crucial for families living within the 6-kilometer danger zone.

As the Philippines faces another active volcanic period, the incident reinforces the value of timely warnings and community drills. Joggers and outdoor enthusiasts are advised to check PHIVOLCS updates before venturing near Mayon's slopes.