ALBAY PLACED UNDER STATE OF CALAMITY; THOUSANDS EVACUATED
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Dec. 30 (PIA) – Governor Joey Salceda declared a state of calamity in this province and suspended office work in all government and private offices this afternoon as floodwaters continue to rise due to incessant rainfall since December 24.


Salceda said today’s rainfall reached more than 50mm as of 12 noon, prompting him to order the mandatory evacuation of some 7,000 families or about 35,000 persons threatened by lahar flows from Mayon Volcano and those living near riverbanks and low lying areas.


Since yesterday, a total of 914 families consisting of 3,915 persons were already evacuated from the towns of Malilipot. Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Manito and Jovellar.


Salceda also reported that that an 80-year-old lady identified as Lolita Dapdap was swept away by floodwaters together with his 50-year old son Antonio while crossing a spillway on their way to an evacuation center in Barangay Inang Maarang in Manito, Albay .


Rescuers have recovered Lolita’s remains while her son remains missing.


Salceda also ordered the closure of traffic between Legazpi and the first district of Albay to Tabaco City because floodwaters have risen to waist deep in some portions of the highways ,making land travel dangerous.


The Albay chief executive also activated all rescue teams in the province to assist in the mandatory evacuation efforts. (EDL PIA V)