Individuals who were captured on a video hiking at Mayon Volcano in Albay province will face necessary penalties, Albay governor Edcel 'Grex' Lagman said on Thursday, April 25.
In a Facebook post, Lagman reminded that mountain climbing remains prohibited at Mayon Volcano which is under Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest.
"Please be informed that Albay Tourism Ptcao has not issued any permit to these people to climb Mayon Volcano. Provincial Ordinance no. 2016-23 prohibits summit climbing," he said.
A maximum of P5,000 fine shall be imposed to the individuals captured on the video, according to the Albay governor.
Lagman said the hikers would be reported to the Protected Area Management Board "for their proper action as well."
In the 59-second video posted by Facebook user Mudman on Wednesday, April 24, several individuals were seen struggling to climb down the Mayon Volcano.
"Descending George Steps of Mayon Volcano," the caption reads.
The video has more than 3,100 likes, 1,100 comments, and 2,100 shares, as of this posting.
Last month, Phivolcs has downgraded the status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1.
But despite the downgrade, the state seismologist still prohibits the public from entering the six-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone of Mayon Volcano "due to the perennial life-threatening dangers of rockfalls, landslides/avalanches at the middle to upper slope, sudden ash puffs and steam-driven or phreatic eruptions from the summit."
