MANILA, Philippines - The 10,000 families living within the Mayon Volcano danger zone are not the only ones who will be evacuated to safer areas.
Disaster management units will also move about 35,000 pets and livestock to temporary shelters so that the evacuated residents would not return to risky areas.
“We want to evacuate their animals. The evacuees are returning for them,” Office of Civil Defense Bicol Director Rafaelito Alejandro said.
“We just prioritized the evacuation of humans. But they are also concerned about the animals they are taking care of. That is part of our plan,” he added.
Alejandro noted that many of the evacuees are farmers. Among the animals to be moved are water buffalos, cows, pigs, and dogs.
Officials are still threshing out the details of the evacuation of the animals, which was also done in 2009.
Alejandro said the evacuation of animals is expected to start today (September 19) after all families in danger zones are moved to safe areas.
More than 7,500 families or more than 36,000 persons have been evacuated as of Thursday.