NDCC: Up to 75K eyed for evacuation if Mayon erupts

MANILA, Philippines - Up to 15,243 families or 75,147 people from 40 villages near Mayon Volcano in Albay province, and not 7,000 as initially thought, are expected to be evacuated from their homes if the volcano erupts. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said this was the figure reached during an emergency preparedness meeting of the Albay provincial disaster coordinating council. In its updated report Monday, the NDCC said the number of threatened families and people included 1,785 families or 8,129 people in 15 villages inside the six-kilometer permanent danger zone around Mayon. Those inside the 6-km PDZ are to be evacuated at Alert Level 3 while those in the high-risk zone will be evacuated at Alert Level 4. Based on the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's five-level alert system, Alert Level 3 is raised once there is "significant local eruption." On the other hand, Alert Level 4 is raised if there is "intense unrest or hazardous eruption [is] imminent." The last time Phivolcs raised Alert Level 4 was in August 2004. Mayon is presently under Alert Level 2. Breakdown Of the 8,129 people in the 6-km PDZ, 1,956 are from Camalig town; 2,774 from Malilipot; 1,490 from Tabaco City; 296 from Guinobatan town; and 1,613 from Ligao City. Another 13,458 families or 67,018 people are living inside the seven- to eight-kilometer extended danger zone or "high risk zone," the NDCC report said. Of these 67,018 people, 33,364 are from 12 villages in Legazpi City; 26,354 from nine villages in Santo Domingo town; and 6,850 from four villages in Daraga town. On the other hand, the NDCC noted there are some 4,623 farmers in 35 villages inside the 6-km PDZ with 516 livestock. These include 1,238 in Tabaco; 857 in Camalig; 730 in Legazpi City; 513 in Ligao; 428 in Daraga; and 349 in Santo Domingo. Zero casualty policy At the meeting, Albay Governor and Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council chairman Jose Salceda reminded disaster management officials of the government's "zero casualty" policy. He stressed the principles of evacuation not rescue; teamwork not individual play; and protection of life first and property second. Salceda also reminded them that the official warning will come only from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs); the PDCC will serve as hub of operations coordination and instructions; official PDCC reports are those signed by the PDCC chairman; and logistics and support are to be coordinated by the PDCC secretariat. Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) will convene this week to discuss its preparedness and response plan. - GMANews.TV