The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said on Wednesday that Mayon Volcano remains in an effusive eruption stage, with no immediate need to raise the alert level to 4.

In an interview on Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol clarified concerns over the lava fountaining observed on Tuesday, January 13.

“‘Yong lava fountaining kahapon ay masyadong mabilis. 35 seconds lang and maabot lang ito ng 100 meters. Hindi pa ito enough to say na kailangan natin itaas na kasi mayroon ng transition na to unexplosive rupture,” Bacolcol said.

He added that the short burst of lava was likely due to a brief gas release rather than a pre-eruptive event.

Current monitoring shows no signs that Mayon is about to trigger an explosive eruption. Sulfur dioxide emissions, a key indicator of volcanic activity, remain low at 1,287 tons per day.

Bacolcol also addressed manpower concerns, noting that eight monitoring teams are currently deployed, supported by staff from PHIVOLCS’ main office conducting hazard mapping and information dissemination campaigns. The agency has 252 personnel, about half of whom are on job order contracts.

According to Bacolcol, a request to President Marcos Jr. and the Civil Service Commission for additional personnel to support the modernization of PHIVOLCS’ monitoring operations. Entry-level salaries for staff remain at ₱20,000, with hazard pay bringing take-home pay to around ₱30,000.