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3,000 families evacuated due to Mayon Volcano unrest —Albay Gov. Lagman


Albay Governor Edcel "Grex" Lagman said Saturday that around 3,000 families have been evacuated after Alert Level 3 was raised due to Mayon's volcanic activity.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Lagman said that evacuations started two days ago after Mayon showed signs of unrest.

"Mayroon tayong 3,000 families that [were] evacuated across Albay sa mga affected LGU... Baka umabot pa ng 8,000 families [ang kailangang ilikas], kapag umangat pa ang alert level from 3 to 4... Kapag tumaas ang alert level, lumalaki din ang radius ng kailangang ilikas," said Lagman.

Meanwhile, local officials don’t expect evacuees will be able to return to their homes soon.

“Magsasakripisyo po taya kasi nasa disaster po tayo. Halos ingatan lang natin na hindi tayo magkakasakit. Alagaan natin ang ating mga sarili. Pasensya na po kas nasa disaster tam,” said Mi-Isi Barangay Captain Nonito Alemania in GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia Jessica Calinog's Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)had brought 300 family food packs and potable water to evacuees

“What we are doing right now is synchronizing our efforts, para walang redundancies and walang overlapse,” said DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, who was in Albay to discuss the situation with local officials.

Gatchalian added that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. might come to Albay.

Marcos on Saturday urged locals to heed local government instructions on evacuations, adding that funds and food packs are already on standby for those who will be affected by Mayon's unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Saturday released new photos of Mayon volcano's summit, where a new lava dome can be seen emerging.

PHIVOLCS also reported one volcanic earthquake and 59 rockfall events in the past 24 hours.

"Kailangang mas maging involved and ating kapulisan, ang armed forces upang tiyakin na hindi babalik [yung mga evacuees]. Kaligtasan po ang pinaka importante  dito," added Lagman. —VAL, GMA Integrated News

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