Albay landslide victim’s kin not losing hope despite delays in rescue

Soil and rubble buried at least 20 houses in Burabod village in Libon town, Albay after a landslide struck the area on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (Photo by Rey Anthony Ostria)

LIBON, Albay — The family of Mary Jane Nabia remains hopeful that she is still alive beneath the soil and debris that buried at least 20 houses in Burabod village last Wednesday, October 23.

Corazon Nabia Araya, 56, said her 54-year-old sister was fleeing during the landslide, but took a wrong turn and was unable to reach safety.

“We didn’t see it coming. It happened so suddenly,” Araya sobbed while speaking to the Inquirer. “I hope they find her alive.”

Araya is anxiously awaiting the start of rescue operations as responders are still assessing the area for potential landslides due to the ongoing rains brought by Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

In a video that circulated online, Araya was seen crying out as the landslide unfolded.

Village captain Erwin Perez recalled that in 2008, Burabod had been warned about the risk of landslides if heavy rains persisted for three days.

The Inquirer accompanied Perez on his rounds at the evacuation center and the landslide site on the third day of the storm.

Families affected by the landslides are currently sheltered in two evacuation centers — one in the neighboring village of San Vicente and another in Sitio Quigasang in Burabod.

Soil and rubble buried at least 20 houses in Burabod village in Libon town, Albay after a landslide struck the area on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (Photo by Rey Anthony Ostria)

Perla de Guia shares the daycare center in Quigasang with 32 other evacuees, including three persons with disabilities. Although her house was not directly hit by the landslide, she felt it was necessary to evacuate.

“Even though we’re safe here, we’re still worried,” de Guia said. “We can’t sleep; I’m very anxious. Our house is just a few homes away from the landslide.”

She also said they have yet to receive any assistance from the local government since arriving at the evacuation center.

Ian Secillano, Libon’s disaster risk reduction and management officer, said on Thursday that the evacuation center in Burabod remains largely inaccessible due to the landslide, and other areas in Libon are flooded, with some residents still stranded on their rooftops.

“The immediate needs of our evacuees and those stranded on rooftops include water, food, and clothing, as many were unable to save their belongings,” Secillano said.

Rescue efforts in the town are hampered by severe flooding and limited resources.

As of 9 a.m. Thursday, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol reported five dead, five missing, and four injured in the region, but fatalities and missing persons in Albay, including those in Libon, have yet to be included in the official count.