President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said the government is now preparing to evacuate residents who could be affected by the looming eruption of Mt. Mayon.
The President made the assurance during a chance interview with the media after the Award for Promoting Philippine-China and Understanding (APPCU) in Manila Hotel last Thursday.
“Right now, what we are doing is preparing and moving people away from the area so that should the time come [for the eruption]–I hope it doesn’t happen but, unfortunately, the science tells us that is where it is headed,” Marcos said partially in Filipino.
The President said the government will provide with the necessary aid to the evacuees.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) has urged authorities to evacuate residents within the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone of Mt. Mayon.
This after it hoisted an Alert Level 3 for Mt. Mayon due to its increased rockfall from volcano’s summit.
“We are watching it [situation in Mt. Mayon] very closely to make sure that any of the communities that could be affected are evacuated and are given assistance while they are evacuated until the time they can return to their homes,” Marcos said.