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Albay mothers fear for children's future amid Mayon Volcano unrest
Several mothers in Camalig, Albay, fear for the future of their children due to the impact of Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest.
For 78-year old Coronacion Moyo, the volcano has witnessed the highs and lows of nearly all her life.
She is among those who used to live in the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of the volcano.
Along with nearly 300 others, she has been staying at the Bariw Elementary School in Barangay Quirangay, Camalig, since Mayon Volcano was placed under Alert Level 3 in January.
Coronacion said she is used to the danger posed by living within the PDZ, but her children worry for her safety at times of volcanic unrest.
“Kung halimbawa, talagang delikado kami, umaalis ako. Kung minsan pinupuntahan ako ng mga anak ko. ‘Mama, alis na po. Mama, punta ka na sa bahay.’ Okay naman kako ako. ‘Kahit na, 'Mama, mag-isa ka lang dito,’” she said.
(If for example, we’re put in danger, I evacuate. Sometimes my children go to me and say, ‘Mama, you have to leave. Mama, stay at our house.’ When I say I’m okay, they say, ‘Even so, mama, you’re alone here.)
Coronacion, however, said she can’t permanently abandon her home in the danger zone, because she plants crops on the volcano’s bountiful land for a living.
She said some of her children have also chosen a life by the foot of the volcano. They, too, were affected by the massive ash spewed by Mayon Volcano last May 2.
“Ang dasal ko: 'Ama ko, tulungan mo naman ang mga anak ko na may mga pamilya na maka-recover,'” she added.
(My prayer is: My Father, please help my children with families recover.)
Seven-months pregnant Layza Brito, meanwhile, is staying in the evacuation center with her husband and two young daughters.
She shared hopes that her children won’t inherit the perilous life she lives at the foot of Mayon.
“Mas maganda medyo malayo sa bulkang Mayon para panatag ang loob namin. Walang taon na mangangamba na naman na nag-aalboroto na naman ang Mayon Volcano….Para sa akin, natatakot ako,” Layza said.
(It’s better to live a bit farther away from Mayon Volcano so we can feel at peace. We can go through our year without worrying over Mayon Volcano’s activities…If you ask me, I’m scared.)
But it’s hard to turn their back from life within the PDZ when it’s where their home is, Layza added.
According to the Camalig Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO), 78 families or 285 individuals who evacuated to the Bariw Elementary School will be transferred to the Bungkaras Evacuation Center this week.
“Bukod sa mas malawak ‘yung facility, in-a-anticipate natin ‘yung opening ng school year,” Camalig MSWDO chief Edlyn Noble said.
(Aside from it being a bigger facility, we’re also anticipating the opening of the school year.)
Data from the Department of Education shows some 24 classrooms in Camalig are being used for evacuees amid Mayon Volcano’s unrest.
Noble said the Camalig municipal government unit hopes to clear the classrooms of evacuees ahead of the back-to-school season in June.
It is also laying out a long-term relocation plan for the displaced families, she added.
“May directive na rin ang ating governor na maghanap ng area ang LGU para sa permanent relocation site noong mga families within the six-kilometer PDZ,” Noble said.
(Our governor has also directed the LGU to look for a permanent relocation site for families living within the six-kilometer PDZ.)
Noble again warned residents not to return to the PDZ to avoid casualties as Mayon remains under Alert Level 3.
The Albay provincial government is considering a proposed ordinance seeking to regulate activities within the volcano’s PDZ. —KG, GMA News
