Mayon volcano in the Philippines belching lava as people evacuate (Picture: Getty/EPA)

The most active volcano in the Philippines was spewing lava down its slopes today as thousands fled the area.

More than 12,600 people have left the mostly poor farming communities that lie within a 3.7 mile radius of Mayon volcano, as part of mandatory evacuations put in place after a rise in volcanic activity last week.

However, thousands remain within the high-risk zone, which has been off limits for years but people still live there because they have nowhere else to go.

The volcano began belching lava last night and the danger zone could be expanded if the eruption gets worse, said Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

He said if that happens, people in any expanded danger zone should be prepared to evacuate to emergency shelters.

‘What we are seeing now is an effusive eruption,’ Mr Bacolcol said. ‘We are looking at this on a day-to-day basis.’

Lava could be seen flowing down the volcano’s southeastern gullies for hours last night.

The lava, seen last night, is currently flowing ‘gently’ said expert Teresito Bacolcol (Picture: AP)

Filipino police assist villagers during mass evacuations in Santo Domingo, Albay province (Picture: EPA)

Evacuees take shelter at a classroom converted into an evacuation site (Picture: Reuters)

In the seaside district of Legazpi, which lies 8.5 miles from Mayon, in the province of Albay, people could be seen taking photos of the volcano, which has become a popular tourist draw for its picturesque conical shape.

Albay was placed under a state of emergency on Friday to allow for quicker distribution of any disaster relief funds if a major eruption happens.

The volcano was raised to alert level three on a five-step system on Thursday, warning that the volcano was in a state of high unrest and a hazardous eruption is possible in weeks or days.

With lava flowing down from the volcano gently, Mr Bacolcol said the alert level would stay at three but it could be moved up if the eruption turns worse.

Villagers on a three wheeled motorcycle leaving the area as part of mass evacuations in Santo Domingo, Albay province (Picture: EPA)

The volcano seen from Legaspi city, Albay province today (Picture: EPA)

Evacuees take shelter at a classroom converted into an evacuation site (Picture: Reuters)

The highest alert, level five, would mean a violent and life-threatening eruption is underway with ash plumes shooting into the sky and super-heated pyroclastic streams endangering more communities at Mayon’s lush foothills.

Mayon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines. It last erupted violently in 2018, forcing tens of thousands of villagers to evacuate.

In 1814, Mayon’s eruption buried entire villages and reportedly killed more than 1,000 people.

Many of Albay’s people, however, have accepted the volcano’s sporadic fury as part of their lives.

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But thousands still remain within the danger zone.