By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday said it has put in place contingency measures in anticipation of a possible escalation in the unrest of Mayon Volcano.
“Naka-preposition ang ating mga resources. Ganun din po yung ating mga contingency plans, nakalatag doon sa ating mga local government units (LGUs) na kung sakali nga pong mag-evacuate, extended na mga permanent danger zones (Our resources are already prepositioned, along with our contingency plans, which have already been explained to the local government units, especially those concerned with evacuations, extended permanent danger zones),” OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said in an interview with PTV’s “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.”
Castillo added that the OCD is in constant coordination with other response agencies and LGUs regarding the situation.
However, the OCD spokesperson said the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology does not see the raising of the Alert Level for now.
“But as far as our preparations are concerned, anticipated natin na kung sakaling mag-escalate ay nakahanda po yung ating mga response agencies (we anticipated a possible escalation and our response agencies are ready),” he added.
Mayon Volcano, one of the country’s most active volcanoes, is known for its near-perfect cone shape but has a history of sudden eruptions that can trigger ashfall, lava flows, and dangerous mudflows. It spewed heavy ashfall Saturday night, blanketing nearby communities with ash. (PNA)
