‘’In the worst case scenario, in case the Mayon Volcano is raised to Alert 4, a total of about 16,000 individuals will be evacuated from the 7-km extended PDZ,’’ Escober added.
Escober said that the evacuation of residents from the 6-km PDZ will start tomorrow morning.
Albay Gov. Atty. Edcel Grex Lagman said funding has been allocated for the emergency response.
‘’Out of the P42 million Quick Response Fund (QRF), P30 million will be allocated for emergency response in Mayon Volcano,’’ Lagman said.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol Regional Director Norman S. Laurio noted that they have prepared a total of 102,000 food packs for the evacuees.
‘’Currently we have a stock of 44 sacks of rice but we are ready to make emergency purchases of relief goods,’’ Albay PSWDO OIC Maria Vivien Andes Cea said.
Meanwhile, Camalig Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo has suspended classes at Barangays Tumpa, Quiringay and Cabangan.
‘’The quarrying activities located within the 6-km PDZ and 7-km extended PDZ are suspended,’’ Baldo said in his advisory.
Alternative modes of learning will be used for affected students. ‘’We will be implementing alternative learning systems to students with suspended classes or classrooms used as evacuation centers,’’ Department of Education Albay DRRM Focal Person Alwin Cuz said.
In Legazpi City, Mayor Geraldine Rosal reiterated her prior advisory on June 7.
‘’All Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees along the slopes of Mayon Volcano, namely Barangays Mabinit, Buyuan, Matanag, Bonga, and Padang to take all necessary precautionary measures,’’ Rosal said.
Authorities further stressed prohibition on entry and other activities in the 6-km PDZ due to hazards of rock fall and other pyroclastic materials.
The public is also urged to be prepared for the possibilities of ash fall, which may most likely occur on the south side of the volcano based on current occuring wind pattern. (PIA5/Albay)
Cover photo courtesy of Janet Obido
