Thousands flee Mayon slopes as ‘Isang’ triggers lahar, flood threats

A THING OF BEAUTY Mayon Volcano, in this photo taken in April, remains a key tourist attraction in Albay and a beloved landmark in the province despite the danger it poses to its surrounding communities, being an active volcano, and the threat of lahar flow that comes with heavy rains. —MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN

GUINOBATAN, ALBAY—Nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated since Thursday from villages near the slopes of Mayon Volcano as heavy rains from the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Tropical Depression “Isang” were expected to trigger lahar flows and flash floods.

Joy Maravillas, chief of the Guinobatan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said 643 families—or 1,931 individuals—from Barangay Masarawag were relocated to Guinobatan Community College and a high school in Mauraro, both designated as evacuation centers.

The evacuation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Army and the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (Apsemo).

Guinobatan Mayor Gemma Ann Ongjoco, who visited the area, said the move was “proactive to ensure the safety of our vulnerable communities, as the low-pressure area may trigger heavy rains.”

Apsemo officer in charge Roderick Mendoza said drone footage showed no quarrying in the upper village but noted that flooding may have been caused by natural factors, including the reactivation of an old river channel.

Food packs and other assistance have been distributed to evacuees while monitoring in other high-risk areas continues.

ON TO SAFETY These residents near the slopes of Mayon Volcano in Guinobatan, Albay, are among close to 2,000 preemptively evacuated on Friday amid threats of lahar flow and flash flood caused by monsoon rain enhanced by Tropical Depression “Isang.” —PHOTO COURTESY OF THE GUINOBATAN MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Natural factors

In northern Luzon, stricter safety measures were also enforced as Isang made landfall in Casiguran town, Aurora, on Friday afternoon, placing parts of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora and several other provinces under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1.

The Isabela Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office imposed a liquor ban, with penalties ranging from fines to possible imprisonment for violators. Businesses caught selling or allowing alcohol consumption face heavier fines and possible permit cancellations.

The Coast Guard likewise implemented a “no sail” policy in the coastal waters of Cagayan and Isabela, while swimming and fishing activities were temporarily prohibited. Relief goods have been prepositioned for coastal families in both provinces.

In Central Luzon, some local governments suspended classes due to the inclement weather.

In Zambales, the capital town of Iba and Palauig ordered the suspension of classes from day care to high school, both in public and private schools.

Classes at all levels were also suspended in the towns of Dilasag and Dingalan in Aurora.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), heavy rainfall may persist in affected areas until Sunday, with risks of flooding and landslides in northern and central Aurora, as well as parts of Zambales and Bicol.

As of 5 p.m. Pagasa hoisted TCWS No. 1 over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Lupao, Carranglan, Pantabangan, San Jose City).

Pagasa said Isang slightly decelerated as it continued to cross Quirino province, and was moving west northwestard at 15 kilometers per hour, packing a maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km per hour. —WITH REPORTS FROM VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. AND JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT