Residents of 2 towns outside Mayon PDZ may keep staying in evacuation centers —Albay gov’t

The residents of the municipalities of Guinobatan and Sto. Domingo in Albay may continue to stay in evacuation centers amid Mayon Volcano's unrest, the provincial government said, after the mayors were called upon to explain the evacuations of the towns which are outside the volcano's permanent danger zone (PDZ).

According to a report by Jessie Cruzat of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia on 24 Oras on Wednesday, the matter was decided during a meeting between Governor Edsel Greco "Grex" Lagman, Sto. Domingo Mayor Jun Aguas, and Guinobatan Mayor Chino Garcia.

Lagman had earlier asked the mayors to explain why they evacuated 2,000 families or around 8,000 residents even though their towns were outside the six-kilometer PDZ.

"Sa next calamity na mangyari, mas uupuan namin nang mas matagal at ganitong way para hindi po tayo nagse-second-guess," Lagman said of the meeting.

The Albay executives decided that the evacuees from Guinobatan will not be sent back to their homes yet, while the evacuees from Sto. Domingo may voluntarily remain at the evacuation centers if they wish. 

"Let me be clear also na I want to put it on record na hindi po ako pipilit na umalis sa mga evacuation center kung talagang feel nila pong hindi sila safe. Let me be clear with that," said Aguas.

One Sto. Domingo resident said she and her family voluntarily left their home over the fear of an eruption. 

"Hindi ka po makakatulog nang maayos.... ‘yong tunog-tunog po ng bulkan. Tapos siyempre labas ka nang labas, titingin ka noong apoy. Kung nandito po kami [sa evacuation center], nakakatulog po kami nang maayos," said Lanie Añonuevo.

The provincial government also said that any families choosing to return to their homes will still be able to receive assistance. — BM, GMA Integrated News