Albay folk in risky areas face relocation

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Albay officials are considering the relocation of 500 families or 25,000 people who presently reside near gullies, rivers and other risky areas at the foot of Mayon volcano before the rainy season.

Cedric Daep, chief of the Provincial Disaster Management Office, said relocation is the best option to avoid unnecessary loss of lives in case of flash floods and landslides.

“Not even the dredging of gullies and rivers surrounding Mayon volcano could give assurance that lives of people in our province would not be at risk in case of heavy rains and typhoons. Relocating them is the best option,” Daep told The STAR.

Records show that over 5,000 families across Albay have been permanently moved to different relocation sites since super typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” battered the province in November 2006. 

Gov. Joey Salceda said he is sourcing out at least P2 billion to build at least 4,500 more houses for the remaining homeless typhoon victims, adding though that 10,072 lots are already available in different relocation sites. 

Oscar Cristobal, Bicol assistant director of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said the dredging of gullies and rivers was stopped after typhoon “Reming” two years ago due to alleged anomalies in the project. 

Cristobal, however, believes that dredging rivers and gullies surrounding Mayon periodically is necessary. 

Meanwhile, the provincial government received a P16-million grant from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its comprehensive land-use plan and awareness and education campaign on climate change. 

The UNDP has pledged a $2-million grant to be divided among Albay, Sorsogon and Camarines Sur, which were the worst hit by super typhoons two years ago.