Thousands evacuated from lahar-prone areas in Albay ahead of ‘Amang’

GUINOBATAN, Albay — Residents from villages at the foot of Mayon Volcano, collectively called Mayon Unit, who are vulnerable to mud or lahar flow were evacuated to this town’s center in anticipation of Tropical Depression “Amang.”

Teresita Alcantara III, Guinobatan disaster officer, said that there were already 865 families or 2,946 persons evacuated as of 9 a.m. Sunday. The pre-emptive evacuation started Saturday.

The evacuees came from the villages of Maninila, Tandarora, and Sitio (sub-village) Basiao in Muladbucad Grande.

Guinobatan mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco ordered the mandatory pre-emptive evacuation to residents living within 6 kilometer permanent danger zone of Mayon Volcano particularly in the villages that frequently experience mudflow during heavy downpour.

Meanwhile, in Polangui and Libon towns, mandatory pre-emptive evacuations were also ordered by mayors Cherilie Sampal and Das Maronilla to residents of areas prone to landslide and flood in order to attain the “zero casualty goal.” /je