More Sorsogon residents evacuate

LEGAZPI CITY — The number of evacuees taking refuge in the different evacuation centers in the affected Sorsogon towns of Casiguran, Irosin and Juban has now increased to 2,027 due to the heavy downpour over Mt. Bulusan since Sunday morning.

Volcanologists have already warned of life-threatening lahar and mudflows down the slopes and in river channels surrounding the volcano.

Arnel Capili, OCD-Bicol director, said that 999 of the evacuees came from Juban, 518 from Casiguran, and 510 from Irosin. Those in Juban were housed at the Juban National High School, Cogon Elementary School, Jose Alendogan Elementary School and the town’s provincial nursery. In Irosin and Casiguran, the evacuees are staying at the Gallanosa National High School and Casiguran Vocational High School, respectively.

Malacañang announced yesterday that it is releasing an initial P185 million to agencies involved in relief and evacuation of people around Mount Bulusan while it is studying proposals for a permanent relocation of residents living near the area.

Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. gave assurances that the national government is sending the first of a series of relief goods and supplies to residents cramped in evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had confirmed that muddy stream flows had already spilled over tributaries leading to the Gulang-Gulang River in Barangay Cogon in Irosin.

"These small volume flows have accumulated and have caused some overflow on the spillway of the road going to Mount Jormajan," Phivolcs said in the bulletin. "Prolonged rainfall over the slopes of Bulusan volcano might induce life-threatening mudflows."

Capili said his office is anticipating a prolonged evacuation if heavy rains continue to pour over Bulusan. Provisions were enough at the provincial level.

He also said that some 20 empty oxygen tanks donated by Smart Philippines will be hung at strategic areas and will be used as bells to warn residents against impending lahar flows.

Capili said the use of the empty tanks as bells was proven effective in Quezon province in warning residents of flash floods and other calamities.

Meanwhile, the Bulusan volcano remained "quiet" for the past 24 hours, Phivolcs said. Seismic network around the volcano recorded only four volcanic quakes during the period. Steaming activity was wispy to moderate and reached about 50 meters above the summit befire drifting to west-north-west direction.

Alert Level 2 remains hoisted over Bulusan volcano, which means the public must keep off the four-kilometer permanent danger zone and adjacent areas. — With Paolo Romero