Manila, Sep 18 (IANS): At least 21,000 people are staying in 18 evacuation centres in eastern Philippines amid the possible eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay province, the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday.

Food packs, assorted food and non-food items have been provided to the evacuees, the department said, adding that standby funds worth 5.165 million pesos (about $116,855) were also readied for purchase of emergency relief supplies, Xinhua reported.

The Mayon Volcano has been placed under Alert Level 3 as magma was at the crater and hazardous eruption was possible within weeks.

On Thursday morning, its seismic network recorded 142 volcanic earthquakes and 251 rockfall events during the past 24-hour observation period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

Moderate emission of white steam plumes that drifted south southwest was observed, it said, adding that rain clouds covered the summit preventing visual observation.