Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday urged all local chief executives (LCEs) in Albay to take immediate and proactive preparedness actions in anticipation of possible lahar flows from Mayon Volcano due to heavy rains from Tropical Cyclone 'Opong.' This directive aligns with the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen climate resilience and disaster response capabilities of local government units (LGUs), emphasizing anticipatory action to protect lives and livelihoods in climate-vulnerable areas such as Bicol.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DILG directed all LCEs to coordinate closely with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) 5 to maintain vigilance and readiness in lahar-prone zones. LGUs must monitor weather conditions and carry out preemptive response measures to ensure public safety. The DILG said LCEs are expected to convene their respective Local DRRM Councils and conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments (PDRA) with a focus on lahar hazards in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and other concerned agencies.
These assessments must cover updated data on high-risk settlements, deployment of personnel for mapping and damage assessments, validation of safe evacuation sites and routes, and contingency planning specific to lahar threats. Other critical LGU actions include conducting an inventory of available manpower and resources, particularly in high-risk barangays; ensuring effective communication systems; prepositioning rescue assets; and initiating preemptive or mandatory evacuations when necessary.
The latest Lahar Advisory from PHIVOLCS indicates that intense rains beginning Thursday afternoon through Friday may remobilize loose volcanic materials deposited from past eruptions, particularly in the Miisi, Mabinit, Buyuan, and Basud Channels. These may generate dangerous lahar flows and sediment-laden streamflows, causing flooding, burial, and washout in downstream communities. Areas at particular risk include the Miisi, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Maninila, Masarawag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matanag, Basud, and Bulawan Channels in Albay.
The DILG Regional Office 5, in coordination with the RDRRMC 5, is tasked with ensuring that all LGUs in the province implement the minimum preparedness measures recommended by DOST-PHIVOLCS.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez stated that police commanders in Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Metro Manila have been alerted and tasked to ensure full coordination with local government units and disaster management offices for strategic deployment and a unified and coordinated response. Aside from helping in preemptive evacuation and search and rescue, police forces in the affected areas are also tasked with securing evacuation centers, assisting in the distribution of assistance, and helping in clearing road networks to ensure the smooth flow of assistance to the affected areas.
Nartatez also highlighted the swift action of police personnel in Mountain Province for their immediate response in clearing road obstructions caused by the cyclone that preceded Opong, Super Typhoon Nando. This effort aligns with President Marcos's directive to strengthen whole-of-government coordination and community partnership for disaster preparedness, recovery, and resilience.
The PNP remains committed to supporting communities affected by Typhoon Nando and preparing for the possible impact of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, ensuring safety, security, and immediate response to emergencies. Nartatez underscored the importance of bayanihan and inter-agency collaboration in disaster response, as demonstrated by police efforts in Besao.
