QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) – The province of Albay is now under a state of calamity.
The provincial board declared this because of the monitored increasing and continued volcanic activity of Mt. Mayon, which puts in peril residents who continue to remain in the seven kilometer danger zone.
Earlier, Governor Al Francis Bichara of Albay Province said that anytime now, the provincial government may declare a state of emergency because of the continued volcanic activity of the Mayon Volcano.
Under a state of calamity, the government will fully mobilize all agencies and resources to respond to emergencies.
In his interview with Net 25’s Radyo Agila, Bichara said that they already started evacuation of residents living near Mayon but most return to their homes to secure their belongings.
“Nailikas na yung mga dapat ilikas, nga lang mayroon talagang mga matitigas ang ulo na bumabalik pa rin. May mga check point at security naman sa ibang lugar pero yung iba pumupuslit,” the governor said.
When asked about report that there were no relief assistance given by the local government, Bichara denied it and said that they still have food and the existing calamity fund to support evacuees.
“May pagkain pa naman at may calamity fund pa naman na magagamit,” he added.
He also said that they already asked the Development Social Welfare Department and the national government for assistance.
“Kumontak na rin kami sa DSWD, OCD at sa national government kung pwedeng maalalayan na rin kami,” Bichara said.