Philippines raises volcano alert, warns of hazardous eruptions

Those within the slope of the volcano, but outside the 6-km danger zone, were told to take precautionary measures against possible roof collapses due to accumulated ash and rainwater.

Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said the volcano appeared due for another eruption as it has been displaying abnormal behaviour since late last year.

But Cedric Daep, head of the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said those in evacuation centers may be allowed to return to their homes later in the day, unless Phivolcs raises the volcano alert level further.

He said not all residents evacuated live inside the 6-km danger zone.

"We have not reached the critical level," he said in a radio interview. "Alert level 3 is what we considered critical, 4 is when eruption is imminent, and 5 is eruption in progress."