Nat’l gov’t ready to help Albay amid Mayon threat

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

FATAL ATTRACTION Tourists love to see the lava flow. “It’s dramatic, like a fireworks show,” says an all-terrain vehicle tour operator near Mayon Volcano, here photographed at Ligñon Hill, Barangay Bogtong, Legazpi City, on Tuesday. Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has declared a state of calamity in the province. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

MANILA, Philippines – Even though President Benigno Aquino III is thousands of miles away, he is closely monitoring the situation at Mayon Volcano, Malacanang said Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Albay Governor Joey Salceda did not even need to ask for help.

“Hindi naman nagkukulang ang national government sa pagtulong,” he said.

(The national government has never lacked giving support.)

Lacierda explained that every time Salceda would ask them for help, the concerned agency was ready to be of assistance.

“Certainly, the national government will help the local government in case they ask for our assistance,” he said.

Lacierda added that Aquino has been receiving updates on Mayon, Typhoon “Luis” and the MV Maharlika II accident from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) despite spending more than a week in Europe to meet with heads of state and overseas Filipino workers.

The province of Albay has been placed under a state of calamity while tens of thousands of people from communities near the volcano have been evacuated.