SANTO DOMINGO, Albay – Mayor Jun Aguas has declared a liquor ban in five barangays here affected by the restive Mayon Volcano.
CLOUDS almost cover the summit of Mayon Volcano on Friday, June 16. (Ali Vicoy)
"Pasensiya na po at no consumption of alcoholic drinks po muna sa ilang barangay ng Santo Domingo (I apologize but there is no consumption of alcoholic drinks in several barangays in Santo Domingo affected by Mayon Volcano)," Aguas said.
Aguas imposed the liquor ban in Barangays Lidong, Fidel Surtida, San Isidro, Santa Misericordia, and San Fernando to put residents on alert especially this time that Mayon is under Alert Level 3.
"This is one way of being alert at sana po maintindihan nila na talagang (and I hope they understand) as much as possible gusto ko po 100 percent sila (I want them to be 100 percent), kasi itong si Mayon ay magloko, at least wala po sila sa impluwensiya ng alcohol (during this time that Mayon is restive and at least they are not under the influence of alcohol)," he added.
This town evacuated at least 1,000 individuals living inside the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone after Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the Mayon Volcano alert status from two to three.
"As of now we have, ‘yung nasa evacuation centers na, almost 300 families, this is around 1,000 individuals. Ito po ‘yung first batch, but of course we are anticipating barangays of Santa Misericordia and San Fernando so most likely we’re expecting more than 4,000 individuals (As of now, there are 300 families in evacuation centers, around 1,000 individuals. This is the first batch, but of course, we are anticipating barangays of Santa Misericordia and San Fernando so most likely we’re expecting more than 4,000 individuals)," he said.
Aguas said that evacuees will be housed at the evacuation centers in San Andres, Santo Domingo Central School, and Bical Elementary School in Barangay Salvacion.