The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said at least 226 families are staying in different evacuation centers in Bicol after rains triggered flooding in parts of Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes,
Claudio Yucot, director of the OCD-Region 5, quoted by ABS-CBN News, confirmed that the number of evacuees in each town includes: Camarines Sur, 62 families; Sorsogon, 61 families; Masbate, 57 families; Catanduanes, 46 families.
Officials are also monitoring the Mayon Volcano as there are several lahar deposits in its south and southwest portions, Yucot said.
Residents living near and around the volcano are asked to evacuate once the rain is measured at 40 millimeters per hour, he said. So far, the measurement is only at 200 millimeters in 24 hours, which is below the baseline for evacuation, he said.
Meanwhile, at least three people died in separate drowning incidents in Camarines Sur over the weekend as the shearline spawned heavy rains.
The OCD earlier urged the public to take advantage of the sunny weather to assess disaster risks and hazards in their communities.
Speaking at the Agenda Forum, OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno encouraged individuals to consult geohazard maps from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as well as the Hazard Hunter tool from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
“While there is no upcoming typhoon, let us visit the MGB map and the Hazard Hunter of the DOST. Just type your address, and you can see how near or far you are from the fault system, from storm surge, or landslide-prone areas,” Nepomuceno stated. “Let us not wait for another typhoon, volcanic eruption, or an earthquake to happen.”
He emphasized the importance of local government units (LGUs), urban planners, and those responsible for approving building and construction permits being equipped with this vital information.
“Regardless of the stability of a house engineering-wise, if it is in a landslide-prone area or on top of a fault system, it would be useless,” Nepomuceno noted.
Nepomuceno highlighted the reliability and scientific basis of the MGB maps, mentioning that the DENR is continuously working to improve them.
He also reminded residents in high-risk areas to heed LGU calls for preemptive or forced evacuations, especially considering the impacts of climate change.
“As the first responders during crises, it is expected that they are strengthened,” he asserted while emphasizing that individuals ultimately bear responsibility for their own safety.
When asked about preparations for the anticipated La Niña this December, Nepomuceno confirmed that all relevant agencies are on alert for this weather phenomenon, particularly those sectors most likely to be affected.
“We will still have typhoons. We have time to prepare,” he stated, adding, “We have prepositioned food packs, hygiene kits, GI sheets, and repair kits.”
