The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which is monitoring Mayon warns the volcano is still dangerous and is expected to erupt soon. But the question on most people's lips is, "When?"

"It is too early to discount the possibility of a hazardous eruption," the institute said this week, warning that at any moment, the volcano could belch out a deadly "pyroclastic flow" of heated ash and dust that could kill anyone near to its peak, as it has done on many occasions in the past.

But the scientists have been saying similar things since August 7 when Mayon first started showing major unrest with numerous ash explosions and volcanic tremors.

Mayon, located some 350 kilometers (217 miles) southeast of Manila, is the most active volcano in the country. Its last deadly eruption in 1993 killed 77 farmers who were smothered by a sudden burst of gas and ash.

So the latest burst of activity prompted the government to declare a six to eight kilometer (four-to-five mile) danger zone around the majestic volcano and evacuate some 44,000 villagers out of harm's way.

Huddled in some 28 evacuation centers, mostly converted schools where they sleep as many as 50 people to a classroom, they subsist on a monotonous fare of rice, instant noodles and canned food, and wait to go home.

Officials warn that it could take at least two months before the volcano's activity stabilizes enough to let them go home.

"I don't know if I can take it for that long," complains Roderick Avellana, 29, who says he sometimes has to sleep curled up on a small table in a corridor because there is not enough room in the classroom that houses his family.

Mayon's recent erratic behaviour has left volcanologists puzzled.

Normally, the 8,070-foot (2,460-meter) volcano starts its eruptive phase by emitting lava and then exploding in a few days but Mayon has been oozing lava now since since mid-July and a powerful eruption still has not taken place.

"We're surprised, after so many tremors it still has not erupted," said Ernesto Corpuz, head of Phivolcs volcano monitoring division.

"Given the history of Mayon, it should have exploded already," sayd Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum.

The government's immediate concern is that the congestion at the evacuation centers could result in an outbreak of disease but so far, this has not happened.

Prefabricated housing which President Gloria Arroyo called for two weeks ago to relieve the congestion has only recently begun to arrive and is being errected by the evacuees.

Tents have also arrived and some of the congestion is easing but not fast enough for many of the residents who would rather be on their mountainside farms away from the noise and congestion of the city.

The government is spending two million pesos (39,200 dollars) a day to feed and house the evacuated villagers and is trying to stretch its budget as much as possible in anticipation of a prolonged stay.

In a worst case scenario, if the eruption proves to be more dangerous than expected, the government is ready to evacuate as many as 74,000 people from an extended 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) danger zone, Cedric Daep, provincial disaster relief coordinator said.

Up to 54 evacuation centers could be opened, he says.

The villagers have tried to make themselves at home as best they can, setting up small stores and engaging in spinning of abaca fibers, a cottage industry that earns extra money for farmers.

Charitable groups and ambitious politicians have been circulating in the area, providing relief goods, ensuring there will be no shortage of food but some of the men still sneak back into the danger zones to tend their farms, safeguard their belongings -- and enjoy the freedom of staying in their own homes.

"I can take two months here (in the evacuation centers) as long as I go home occasionally," said farmer Winston Mena, 35.

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