PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE LAHAR FLOW FROM MAYON VOLCANO, DILG TELLS ALBAY LGUS

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday directed all local chief executives (LCEs) in Albay province to undertake immediate and proactive preparedness actions in anticipation of possible lahar flows from Mayor Volcano due to heavy rains expected to be brought by Tropical Cyclone “Opong.”

Based on the DOST-PHIVOLCS Lahar Advisory, intense rains may remobilize loose volcanic materials deposited from past eruptions particularly in the Miisi, Mabinit, Buyuan and Basud Channels.

The advisory said that heavy rains from Thursday afternoon (Sept. 25) to Friday (Sept. 26) may generate dangerous lahar flows and sediment-laden streamflows that can cause flooding and washout in downstream communities that will place several areas in particular risk.

Also mentioned in the advisory were Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matanag, Basud, and Bulawan Channels in Albay.

The DILG ordered all local chief executives to  coordinate closely with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 5 to maintain vigilance and readiness in lahar-prone zones.

Local government units were also urged to monitor weather conditions and carry out preemptive response measures to ensure public safety.

The DILG said LCEs are expected to convene their respective Local DRRM Councils and conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments (PDRA), with focus on lahar hazards, in coordination with DOST-PHIVOLCS, DENR-MGB, and other concerned agencies.

The assessments must cover updated data on high-risk settlements, deployment of personnel for mapping and damage assessments, validation of safe evacuation sites and routes, and contingency planning specific to lahar threats.

LGUs were also told to include other critical measures such as conducting an inventory of available manpower and resources, particularly in high-risk barangays, ensuring effective communication systems, prepositioning rescue assets, and initiating preemptive or mandatory evacuations when necessary.

The DILG Regional Office 5, in coordination with the RDRRMC 5, is tasked to ensure that all LGUs in the province implement the minimum preparedness measures recommended by DOST-PHIVOLCS.