PIA Bicol Chief Urges Vigilance Against Mayon Volcano Misinformation Surge

In the shadow of Mayon Volcano’s ongoing unrest, a different kind of hazard has emerged across the Philippines—a wave of misinformation that officials have dubbed “information ashfall.”

As the iconic volcano in Legazpi City continues to rumble and threaten nearby communities, artificial intelligence-generated videos and fabricated images depicting catastrophic eruptions have spread rapidly across social media platforms, reaching audiences far more effectively than official government updates.

Ramil Marianito, regional director of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), warns that this digital phenomenon creates a dangerous dichotomy: unnecessary panic in some communities while fostering dangerous complacency in others.

“In a crisis, the right information is just as life-saving as an evacuation mask,” Marianito emphasized, highlighting the critical nature of accurate information during natural disasters.

The proliferation of misinformation has prompted government agencies to intensify their “#MagingMapanuri” (Be discerning) campaign, a joint effort by the Presidential Communications Office and the PIA to encourage critical media consumption. Officials stress that this discernment is particularly crucial when interpreting technical advisories from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the country’s primary authority on volcanic activity.

To combat the spread of false information, Marianito has outlined practical guidelines for the public. First, he urges citizens to verify information sources, ensuring updates come directly from official Phivolcs channels rather than anonymous forwards or unverified social media posts. Second, checking timestamps is essential, as footage from previous eruptions—particularly from 2018—often recirculates during periods of increased activity.

The PIA also cautions against clickbait and sensationalist headlines. Phrases like “Magugunaw ang mundo” (The world will end) or claims of “imminent huge explosions” should raise immediate red flags, especially when no Alert Level 5 has been officially declared by authorities.

Perhaps most important is what Marianito calls the “pause protocol”—encouraging the public to ask critical questions before sharing content: “Is this information helpful? Has it been verified? Will sharing this cause unnecessary panic?”

The fight against misinformation requires cooperation across multiple sectors. Media organizations, Marianito notes, serve as “information force multipliers” with a responsibility to avoid sensationalism that might heighten public anxiety. Instead, they should function as bridges between scientific authorities and local communities, translating complex volcanological data into accessible information.

Local government units also play a crucial role as trusted information sources in their jurisdictions. Marianito urges them to maintain consistent messaging aligned with Phivolcs bulletins, creating a unified voice that reduces confusion during crisis situations.

The digital age has transformed every internet user into a potential publisher, placing responsibility on individuals to evaluate content critically before sharing. “Your silence on a fake post is as powerful as sharing a real one,” Marianito observed, highlighting how inaction can contribute to misinformation’s spread.

As part of its preparedness strategy, the PIA has announced plans to activate a Joint Information Center should Mayon’s alert level rise to 4 or if an explosive eruption occurs. This center would coordinate communication efforts across agencies, ensuring consistent messaging during heightened volcanic activity.

The challenge of combating misinformation during natural disasters reflects a growing global concern about digital literacy in crisis situations. As technologies like AI make fake content increasingly sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from reality, the ability of citizens to critically evaluate information becomes not just a civic skill but a survival tool.

“Let us clear the air,” Marianito urged in his closing remarks. “Maging mapanuri!”—a call not just for clear skies above Mayon, but for clarity in the information landscape surrounding its activity.