3,500 persons living at Mt. Mayon slopes evacuated as Quinta threatens Bicol

GUINOBATAN, Albay – Around 700 families or 3,500 individuals residing at the foot of Mayon Volcano were moved to temporary shelters on Saturday afternoon in anticipation of Tropical Depression “Quinta.”

“They (residents) know what to expect, particularly the possible movement of lahar (mudflow) during bad weather so they easily cooperate when we ordered pre-emptive evacuation,” Guinobatan Mayor Gemma Onjoco said.

The residents were from the lahar-prone villages of Tandarora and Maninila.

Onjoco said attaining zero casualty is the main goal in times of calamity.

“I have this phobia, I don’t want another typhoon Reming experience wherein we were trapped in our village,” said Elena Padua, 40, resident of Maninila village who is staying at an evacuation center with her eight children.

Padua was referring to the devastation brought by typhoon Reming (international name: Durian) in November 2006 which left over 1,000 residents dead in Albay.

Food packs are also ready for distribution to evacuees.

Joy Maravillas, Guinobatan disaster risk reduction and management officer, said that evacuees are still required to follow health protocols against the possible spread of the new coronavirus while in evacuation centers.

“We require each resident to wear face mask, maintain physical distancing, and practice proper hygiene to avoid possible spread of COVID-19,” Maravillas said.

CFC