Landslide-prone Albay folk ordered evacuated

LEGAZPI CITY – Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has ordered since yesterday the total evacuation of people residing at landslide-prone and other high risk areas along mountain slopes and near river channels in Albay as moderate to heavy rains continue to pour over the province until press time.

The governor’s order came after the assessment made by the Landslide Advance Monitoring Team (LAMT), warning that more landslides may occur in at least 64 identified villages across Albay in case the presently experienced monsoon rains would continue.

The team is composed of representatives from the different disaster-control agencies, particularly from the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB), the Philippine Atmospherical, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The team said that at least about two-kilometer landslide-span may take place in these identified barangays mostly found along mountain slopes and other inclined terrains in the towns of Manito, Ligao City and Legazpi City.

Cracks are already observed across Kituinan Hills in Camalig town that threaten at least four barangays, including Tinago and Baligang. Also identified for possible landslides are the hills of Barangays Estanza and Pinaric here; and the Lignon Hill near Legazpi City airport.

At least 19 landslides were recorded across Albay when the five-day monsoon rains took place until Friday last week. Knee-to-waist-deep floodings were also noted here.

The main highway connecting Manito town and Legazpi City remained unpassable until press time due to a big landslide in Barangay Malobago since last week.

Salceda said the total evacuation of landslide-prone residents is meant to avoid possible loss of lives in case heavy downpour continues.

Evacuation were also ordered to those residing at flood-prone areas, such as near the river channels and low-lying villages.

Cedric Daep, chief of Albay’s Provincial Disaster Management Office, said they have yet to determine the total number of possible evacuees.

Daep said most of these evacuees are residents along mountain slopes and hills.

At least 900 hectares of farmlands were already damaged by floodwaters and cascading sand with boulders coming from Mayon river-tributaries.