Close to 2,900 families living within the declared six-kilometer
danger zone around Mayon Volcano will be relocated permanently is safe
locations to get them out of harm’s way every time the volcano rumbles.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas said relocation
would not be easy since government would cough out at least P600 million
to find permanent relocation sites and build houses for the affected
families.
Roxas said President Aquino is concerned that there are still
families living within the permanent danger zone and has directed
agencies to address the situation.
Roxas, however, could not give a timeline when the relocation would start.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda confirmed that relocating families in
permanent danger zones is one of the projects of the provincial
government.
“That is actually our project but since the national government has
expressed interest to take over, then that is indeed a welcome
development,” Salceda told the Manila Bulletin in an interview.
Salceda said families living in permanent danger zones are located
in the Malinao and Tabaco parts of Mayon who are being prioritized
every time Level 3 is hoisted over the majestic volcano.
“We have already found a permanent relocation site in Camalig (town).
This will be presented to the national government,” he said.
The Albay provincial government has spent millions in the evacuation
and in providing the basic needs of those living in the danger zones.
There are currently 12,500 families (55,000 persons) in 48
evacuation centers in the province since Alert Level 3 was raised last
month.
Aside from human evacuation, farm animals and pets were also
evacuated to safer sites to deny residents an alibi for them to go back
home.
On Sunday, lava measuring 350 meters long flowed at the eastern side of the Bonga Gully from the summit. But Dr. Winchelle Sevilla, Supervising Science Research Specialist of Phivolcs said these short and stubby flow of lava could be remnants of the 2009 eruption.
Malacañang has assured of the national government’s support for a period of 90 days.
On Sunday, 31 trucks loaded with food packs, health kits and other
non-food items arrived in Albay for distribution to the thousands of
families staying in evacuation centers.
