Residents of 3 villages near Bulusan advised: Be prepared to evacuate

LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned residents of three barangays near Mt. Bulusan in Irosin, Sor­sogon to prepare for evacuation as heavy rains could trigger more lahar.

Bella Tuvianosa, science research specialist of the Phivolcs’ monitoring station in Barangay Cabid-an, Sor­sogon City, said heavy rains could dislodge tons of volcanic debris on the slopes of the restive volcano.

Tuvianosa said the warning is particularly directed at those in low-lying areas and near river channels.

Weather forecasters have monitored a low pressure area east of Mindanao and the northeast monsoon or hanging amihan that could spawn heavy rains.

They also noted a weak spell of La Niña over the Pacific Ocean, which could trigger days of continuous heavy downpour.

There are still 187 families or 757 people from the Irosin barangays of Cogon, Mon­bon and Mapaso who are staying in makeshift evacuation centers after volcanic mud triggered by heavy rains swept through their villages last week.

The knee-deep volcanic mud damaged 36 houses in Monbon alone.

Irosin Mayor Lilia Gonzales estimated the damage from the mudflow at P25 million: P10 million for agriculture, P1 million for a damaged bridge, P4 million for a dike, and another P5 million for a silted dam.

Alert level one remains hoisted around Bulusan, which has spewed ash 26 times since March last year.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro postponed his visit yesterday to the three mudflow-affected barangays after Cebu Pacific cancelled its Metro Manila-Legazpi City flight due to poor visibility because of the inclement weather.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has continued to assist the mudflow victims still housed in evacuation centers.

As of yesterday, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza Cabral said three evacuation centers remain open: Gallanosa National High School which serves 134 families; the Old Casa building, 18 families; and Barangay Mapaso hall, 35 families.  

The DSWD said evacuees from Barangays Monbon and Mapaso who initially planned to return to their communities were advised to remain in the evacuation centers to ensure their safety. – With Cet Dematera and Helen Flores