Philippines: No casualty in Albay despite 73 landslides
by Mike dela Rama
Legazpi City - Because of their disaster risk reduction strategy, the Albay Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) reported on Saturday that no casualty was recorded despite the 73 landslides brought by continuous heavy rains in the province for the past 18 days.
As of Jan. 8, the provincial government of Albay has evacuated a total of 12,344 and 59,526 families affected by flooding and landslides, respectively.
The provincial government has maintained its zero casualty policy by strict implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction management during emergency.
APSEMO record showed that 10 municipalities and two cities were threatened by floods and lahar comprising a total of 33,752 families or 172,752 individuals.
Out of 720 barangays in the province, 98 (including sitios) have been declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Mines and Geoscience (DENR-MGB) as prone to landslides and flash floods.
“To maintain the zero casualty the landslides and floods advance monitoring team composed of APSEMO, MGB, provincial and municipal engineering personnel are now conducting validation on landslide occurrences province-wide,” Governor Joey Salceda said during the meeting with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council today.
All residents in areas with historical record of landslide, flood and lahar were advised to be extra vigilant and prepare for evacuation once advised by the local disaster risk reduction and management councils.
Children are not allowed to play outdoors especially near flood areas and river systems.
Motorists are advised not to pass flooded road and report to nearby authorities the occurence of flooding in thoroughfares. (PNA)