The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said that there are enough food, water and other relief items for thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes in Bicol Region due to heavy rains caused by the shear line.
Mr. Gremil Naz, spokesperson of OCD regional office in Bicol (OCD-5), said a total of 5,013 individuals or 1,440 families were being served in evacuation centers as of Sunday, Jan. 12.
“So far, there are no concerns on relief goods and other needs of the evacuees because the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] is quick to replenish our resources. Other agencies such as the DOH [Department of Health] is very responsive too,” Naz said in a radio interview over dzBB.
Light to heavy rains brought by the shear line have been affecting the Bicol Region since Jan. 7, resulting in flooding in many areas in Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Albay.
More than P2 million worth of relief assistance has been provided to the families affected by flooding, landslides and other impact of shear line in Bicol.
“Right now, we are still experiencing intermittent rains especially in the eastern side of Bicol,” Naz said.
“We have also monitored rain-induced landslides but the affected areas were quickly cleared by the local government units and DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways],” he added.
A lahar advisory was also issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) as authorities warned of possible lahar flow from Mayon Volcano in Albay.
“The Phivolcs issued a lahar advisory in Albay but so far, there’s no monitored lahar flow there,” Naz shared.
The OCD official advised the public to be vigilant and monitor updates from local authorities.
“It’s possible that the rains will persist in the next few days in Bicol Region so let’s all just standby for advice from local authorities, specifically from the local DRRM [disaster risk reduction and management] offices on what to do to ensure everybody is safe,” Naz said.
READ: Shear line kills 2; affects over 78K people in Bicol – OCD