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Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Evacuation of people near Mayon volcano ordered
MANILA -- Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz on Tuesday directed Albay Governor Fernando Gonzales to pull out more than 4,000 farmers from the six-kilometer permanent danger zone in the restive Mayon Volcano.
Following a meeting with leaders of National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)-attached agencies in Camp Aguinaldo, Cruz, who is NDCC chairman, said the council has already come up with the recommendation to pull out all the people in the six-kilometer radius.
"The NDCC already has a recommendation. It's better if we evacuate more than 4,000 people but that's the judgment call of the provincial governor who is balancing the means of livelihood and safety," said Cruz.
During the meeting, NDCC executive officer and concurrent Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) administrator Glenn Rabonza briefed Cruz that 4,343 farmers are still staying within the permanent danger zone.
"There are at least 4,3000 farmers who insist on going there and tilling their lands and harvesting their produce, it's the question of livelihood. It's (evacuation of the farmers) the call of the local government," said Rabonza.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised alert level 3 on the volcano. Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said the volcano is showing signs of a major eruption, citing events leading to similar major eruptions in 1993, 2000, and 2001.
"Right now, there are more than 4,000 farmers still tilling inside the six-kilometer danger zone and this is one area that we made clear to the governor that this should be attended to right now. The question really is livelihood," said Rabonza.
Solidum said Phivolcs is also recommending the evacuation of all the people inside the permanent danger zone. But he also agreed that the decision lies entirely with the Provincial Government.
"We have recommended no entry in the six-kilometer permanent danger zone even when it was still at alert level zero. In the disaster management system, it's best to relocate people out of the areas which are always affected during eruption," said Solidum
Rabonza also briefed the body about the preparedness of the NDCC and local units in case the volcano goes on a major eruption. He said the military's Task Force Mayon under Brigadier General Arsenio Arugay has been already activated.
On the relief mission, Rabonza cited concerns like the lack of tents in evacuation centers and non-food items being at critical levels. Overall, though, he said NDCC and other relief agencies are prepared for any eventuality.
"They are well prepared, for every alert level. We are on alert level 3; they have specific responses and tasking for every member of the PDCC (provincial disaster coordinating council) in Albay down to the municipal and barangay," said Cruz.
He also said the military's Task Force Hope is already in Albay to help assist in the relief mission. (VR/Sunnex)
(July 19, 2006 issue)
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