by MS Arguelles

LEGAZPI CITY (6 October) -- Volcanologists on Monday, October 2, lowered Mount Mayon's alert level from three to two following the over-all decline in the volcano's seismic activity.

But the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reminded residents of barangays located on the volcano's slopes not to venture within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ).

Phivolcs Legazpi chief Ed Laguerta said that the six-kilometer PDZ remains off limits to any form of human activities as the threat of sudden explosion remained possible although already remote.

Laguerta said, sudden explosion is still possible because Mayon Volcano's condition has not yet totally returned to normal.

Mayon's lava extrusion was confirmed to have stopped already last Sunday, October 1 by the Phivolcs Lignon Hill Observatory here.

Mayon's alert level which was raised to three last July 14 after it started spewing lava, was further raised to level 4 on August 7 when it exploded nine times in eight hours, and prompted the evacuation of some 45,000 people from the affected villages around the base of the volcano.

After almost two months of incessant lava extrusion Phivolcs lowered Mayon's five-step alert status to three on September 9.