Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon province (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SPDRRMC) is now on standby alert status after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported increasing volcanic activities at Mt. Bulusan.
In an interview on Wednesday, Salvador Mendoza, Sorsogon provincial information office chief, said proactive plans are already in place to ensure the safety and well-being of residents who might be affected by the volcano's unrest.
However, Mt. Bulusan remains under Alert Level 1, indicating low-level unrest with an increased possibility of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions.
"With the current state and potential risks of Bulusan, Governor Edwin Hamor ordered our PDRRMC and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers from Casiguran, Juban, Irosin, Bulusan, Barcelona, and Gubat to prepare plans and responses to ensure the safety of the people. The plan outlines evacuation procedures, emergency shelters, medical teams, and resource mobilization for possible affected areas," Mendoza said.
He said the governor ordered firetrucks to be ready in areas that might affected by ash fall and all SPDRRMO assets to be prepared.
"The provincial government of Sorsogon is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. The governor stressed the importance of taking a proactive approach to disaster management and called for all concerned agencies involved to collaborate effectively," he said.
Based on SPDRRMO data, a total of 71 evacuation centers are ready outside the six-kilometer danger zone in the towns of Casiguran, Irosin, and Juban.
Phivolcs reminded the public and local government units that entry into the four-km radius permanent danger zone is prohibited. (PNA)
