Town that can’t move Mayon moves people away from volcano

SOME of the new houses built for residents of danger zones around Mayon Volcano. MICHAEL JAUCIAN/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

STO. DOMINGO, Albay—At least 269 families living on the slopes of Mt. Mayon in the village of Lidong in this town in Albay province have left their communities for new houses away from the volcano’s 6-kilometer permanent danger zone.

The P169-million housing project in the village of San Andres was funded by the national government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the provincial government of Albay.

The roofs of the houses had been designed to serve a evacuation areas secured by steel railings and can be used by residents during heavy flooding.

Marites Pontejon, 45, said she is happy that her family is among the project’s beneficiaries.

“We now have our own concrete house,” she said.

Marilyn Abula, 38, said her family can now sleep soundly even during storms or when Mayon becomes restive.

Elsa Alamares, 40, likened owning a new house to winning a lottery jackpot.

“My big thanks to God because he gave us this house,” said Alamares, mother of 10.

Ma. Salome Villanueva, chief of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the town, said the families would be safe in the relocation area, describing the houses as “typhoon-proof.”

“[I can say] 100 percent they are safe in the relocation site as it is situated in an elevated area,” she said.

Mayor Herbie Aguas said the relocation of residents would result in savings for the local government because the town would not spend anymore on evacuation.

“We cannot move Mayon,” said the mayor. “So every now and then (we should expect) abnormal activities,” he said. Michael B. Jaucian, Inquirer Southern Luzon