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Local government units in Albay launch relief and rescue operations following the recent Mayon ash fall
ALBAY, Philippines – Thousands of households were affected when the Mayon Volcano in Albay released a huge ash flow and pyroclastic density (PDCs) on Saturday, May 2, and the effects reached the surrounding municipalities and as far as San Pascual in Masbate.
In Camalig, more than 8,000 households were affected by the Mayon unrest. Officials said they expect the number of evacuees being moved to evacuation centers to increase.
“A lava fall occurred, causing an ash cloud, and it was accompanied by a lava fountain and lava flowing from the Mayon crater. Since January, this is the highest recorded earthquake activity,” Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief Oscar Robert Cristobal said in Filipino.
Cristobal assured the public that APSEMO and the provincial government have mobilized the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to clear and control the situation in the most affected areas.
“Based on BFP’s assessment, we contacted the Regional Engineering Office to request the equipment used to clean the roads and respond to the urgent needs of the residents,” he added.
Following a meeting with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), APSEMO shared that the region may expand the danger zone declared after the recent Strombolian eruption affected many municipalities.
This increase prompted the local government units (LGUs) to immediately launch relief and rescue operations, from distributing masks to removing the huge ash that covered buildings and made roads impassable. The following are initiatives led by various municipalities:
Guinobatan
At least barangay 39 in Guinobatan were reported to have been affected by the recent ashfall. Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco said that residents who were stuck in the city center due to the water falls have already been safely transported back to their homes.
“We have already transported the stranded residents back to their homes. The LGU has distributed masks to our voters, and we are currently in the process of checking the water reservoirs affected by the waterfalls to ensure that the water remains safe for drinking and consumption,” Ongjoco. he said.
Aside from distributing face masks, Guinobatan LGU was immediately activated ash disposal operations to clean the streets in the whole community. Together with the BFP, the LGU continues to dispose of the heavy ash that covered the city.
Camalig
After the Mayon Volcano spewed ash that covered many parts of Camalig, the Face masks distributed by LGU to protect residents from irritation caused by ash. In coordination with the BFP, the LGU also conducted immediate clearing operations to clear roads that were impassable due to heavy ash.
“The public is advised to stay indoors until authorities declare it safe. If going out is necessary, wearing an N95 mask is highly recommended to prevent respiratory problems and other health problems caused by the ash,” Camalig Mayor Caloy Baldo wrote in public post.
The LGU continues to monitor and visit affected families from the permanent danger zone who are staying in evacuation shelters to provide more support.
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In response to ashfall blanketing local roads, Daraga LGU canceled cycling and Zumba events designed to promote car-free Sundays. Daraga Mayor Victor Perete explained that the cancellation was done to prioritize the safety of the participants.
“The Lakaw-Pidal incident has been canceled for now while Mayon is still erupting,” Perete he said.
The mayor added that all the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Committees (BDRRMC) are fully operational. internal monitoring. These committees also continue to remind residents to observe the safety measures outlined in the latest LGU advisory.
All other municipalities, especially those in the second and third districts of Albay, are also on high alert as Mayon continues to be an explosive threat. – Rappler.com
