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Monday, August 07, 2006
Gov't orders mandatory evacuation for Mayon folks (2:28 p.m.)
LEGAZPI CITY -- The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council in Albay has ordered the mandatory evacuation of about 50,000 people affected by the eruptions of Mayon volcano from 41 barangays, three cities and five towns.
The Department of Education (DepEd) immediately suspended classes in all schools designated as evacuation centers.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised alert to level 4, saying an explosive eruption appeared imminent. Level 5 represents an ongoing eruption.
"More than 50,000 people will be expected to be evacuated," said Jukes Nunez, a provincial disaster officer in Albay province.
They include people who have ventured back inside the danger zone to tend crops in the fertile volcanic soil.
Army trucks and other government vehicles have been deployed to ferry residents to at least 30 evacuation centers, Nunez added.
Gerry Losentales, a poor 87-year-old farmer, has refused to leave his hut near his small vegetable farm even after the land was partly seared by lava flows a few days ago. He was among dozens of residents ordered to evacuate Monday from Mabinit village below the volcano.
"I survive by tending that farm and I have lived here all my life," a teary-eyed Losentales said as soldiers helped him board an army truck loaded with villagers to be brought to a temporary school shelter. "I hope the government can help me now."
Albay Governor Fernando Gonzalez said evacuation is ongoing and residents are temporarily housed in 32 evacuation centers mostly elementary school buildings.
President Arroyo has ordered the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) to release P250 million as calamity fund to help in the relief operations. (AP/Sunnex) |
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