Albay Governor Edcel Grex Lagman (Screengrab from Laging Handa briefing)
LEGAZPI CITY – Albay Governor Edcel Grex Lagman said the province is prepared for a higher alert level for Mayon Volcano, in case the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) decides to impose it.
During the "Laging Handa" briefing here on Thursday, he said the main objective of the province is zero casualty.
"Yes, the province is ready to act accordingly sa mga projections of Phivolcs. Ang maganda po dito (the good thing about this) is an extrusive eruption, meaning to say, we are on Alert Level 3 right now, but it does not mean that we will automatically be on Alert Level 4. May mga (there are) certain parameters that need to be breached or reached para po tayo ay umabot ng (for us to reach) Alert Level 4 and iyon po iyong mag-i-encourage sa amin, if ever mangyari iyon kapag let us say talagang iyong lava flow, hindi na siya maging trickle, talagang lava flow na; iyong tinatawag na PDC, iyong usok na tinatawag na pyroclastic density current po, kapag ito po ay grumabe, isa rin po iyan na indicator para itaas iyong alert level 3 to 4 (that's what will encourage us, if that ever happens when let us say it's really a lava flow, it won't be a trickle anymore, it's really a lava flow; what is called PDC, that smoke called pyroclastic density current, when it is grumabe, that is also an indicator to raise your Alert Level 3 to 4)," Lagman said.
He also said the basic needs of the people particularly water, sanitation and hygiene in the evacuation centers will be given priority to ensure their health, especially the children and women.
Lagman said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and some members of his Cabinet have committed to helping the province and they are thankful for all the help they will receive.
"Sa ngayon po ay we have 5,016 families na evacuated na. This accounts for [unclear] individuals, mga Albayano po natin na na-evacuate. And yes, I was able to go around yesterday together with the President in a major evacuation center in Guinobatan (town) and doon talagang may mga holes that have to be plugged in so to speak, dahil may mga pagkukulang pa rin – iyong ventilation doon is not that good; iyong kuryente po doon has [been] addressed; iyong basic issue po ng water, sanitation and hygiene, kailangan din po itong ma-address (Right now we have 5,266 families that have been evacuated. This accounts for 19,079 individuals that have been evacuated. And yes, I was able to go around yesterday together with the President in a major evacuation center in Guinobatan and there really are holes that have to be plugged in so to speak, because there are still shortcomings – the ventilation there is not that good; the electricity there has [been] addressed; the basic issue of water, sanitation and hygiene, it also needs to be addressed," the governor said.
He also said officials of the Albay provincial health office go around the centers to know and have actual data on the health condition of evacuees. (PNA)
