Dirty water downs 90 Mayon evacuees

LEGAZPI CITY — Some 90 evacuees in Sto. Domingo town suffered loose bowel movement after being supplied with dirty drinking water, health authorities said.

According to Dr. Veronica Madulid, Albay health officer, investigation showed that the firetruck used in supplying water to villagers temporarily housed at the Bical evacuation center earlier carried water from an irrigation canal.

This developed as a one-year-and-six-month-old child died after a severe asthmatic attack, while two babies were delivered at evacuation centers in Malilipot and Sto. Domingo towns.

Another death was reported in the San Andres relocation site, but the man, a diabetic who succumbed to hypoglicemia, was not an evacuee but a member of a family resettled there.

Government volcanologists said yesterday that Mayon Volcano remained in a restive state, with roaring sounds, sputtering of incandescent rocks and occasional rockfalls observed during the past observation period.

"Because of the high level of volcanic activity, the (probability) of a sudden explosion is still high. Thus, Mayon’s status stays at alert level 5," said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in its latest bulletin.

Meanwhile, Cedric Daep, provincial public safety head, said he would meet with officials of affected barangays to update the "lahar risk map."