Bicol to expect heavy rains amidst threat of lahar, Mayon Volcano spews 143 lava collapses

Mayon Volcano remains to be at PHIVOLCS alert level 3 for its “relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption can be expected within weeks or even days.”

Mayon Volcano as of January 17, 2018. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/John Hernandez

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) had recorded a total of 143 lava collapses and a tremor within 24 hours.

The recorded lava collapse came after rockfall was noted along the front and margins of advancing lava and pyroclastic flows to Miisi, Matanag, and Buyuan Gullies.

The authorities continue to warn the public to avoid entering the six (6) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southern flanks.

Mayon continues to spew lava. Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Janeth Nobleza

The state weather bureau PAGASA had also issued a warning that Bicolanos can expect occasional heavy rains today. They noted the danger that the rainwater may cause, “potentially dangerous mud flows or lahar would flow down the slopes of Mayon if the ash and debris it has been spewing since the weekend mixes with rainwater.”

PAGASA already placed the Bicol areas of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon under orange rain warning. It means that the areas may experience 1 to 2 hours of rains that could trigger possible floods and landslides.
Sources:

— Sally, The Summit Express

Smart posts “clear leadership” vs Globe in LTE speeds nationwide - OpenSignal

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), the wireless communications and digital services subsidiary of PLDT, is increasing its lead in LTE (4G) speeds nationwide, according to the latest crowd-sourced data gathered by wireless coverage research firm OpenSignal.

In a report, Smart posted what it called “clear leadership” in LTE across the country, with nationwide average LTE download speeds of 11.7 Mbps (vs. 7.3 Mbps of Globe). The results covered the months of September to November.

Smart also dominated all measured areas, with 13.2 Mbps in National Capital Region (NCR)/Metro Manila, 7.7 Mbps in the Visayas, and 12.1 Mbps in South Luzon, compared with Globe which, based on the results, registered speeds of 8.2 Mbps, 6.8 Mbps and 6.3 Mbps, respectively.

Area	Smart (Mbps)	Globe (Mbps)
NCR	13.2	8.2
South Luzon	12.1	6.3
North Luzon	Not revealed	Not revealed
Visayas	7.7	6.8
Mindanao	Not revealed	Not revealed
Average	11.7	7.3

In terms of coverage, the latest results showed significant improvements in both 3G and LTE availability, with double-digit year-on-year improvements registered for LTE coverage in Metro Manila, Southern Luzon and the Visayas. Nationwide, Smart’s LTE availability improved from 35.86% in the January 2017 report to 58.07%, the report said.

In parallel, Smart 3G coverage also improved across the areas measured, with nationwide 3G availability improving from 67.89% to 74.45%.

The OpenSignal results were corroborated by recent internal tests, which showed better download speeds in Southern Luzon. Median download speeds of 18.5 Mbps were posted in Quezon province, while speeds of 17.1 Mbps were recorded in Batangas.

In Metro Manila, recent internal tests in Parañaque, for example, recorded median LTE download speeds of 17.9 Mbps, while median download speeds of 27.6 Mbps were posted in Caloocan. In Taguig, Smart LTE posted median download speeds of 18.6 Mbps.

LTE speeds in Cebu, meanwhile, averaged 24 Mbps, while LTE speeds in Davao were at 34 Mbps on average, also based on recent internal tests.

Smart expects to fulfill ahead of schedule its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to cover over 90% of the country’s cities and municipalities with mobile broadband using LTE and 3G by 2019.

LTE is the best technology to help bring fast, affordable, and reliable internet services to as many customers as possible.

— The Summit Express