Albay Placed Under State of Calamity

Legazpi City, Albay, Dec. 30 2010  (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 together with the provincial disaster risk reduction council 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.

37,729 families were reported to have been evacuated from the municipalities of Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Manito, Jovellar, Camalig, Daraga and Legazpi City.

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.

DRR reforms

In the meantime, the provincial government of Albay is implementing reforms on disaster risk reduction (DRR) that includes the doctrine of social minimum and risk reduction for especially vulnerable sectors such as children, people with disabilities and senior citizens.

Salceda has emphasized that vulnerable sectors should be provided the same level of safety afforded to all during calamity.

He stated that to the maximum extent possible, people with disabilities (PWDs) should not be routinely routed to a health care environment or separated from their relatives, essential equipment and other personnel support; doing either generally increases the vulnerability and trauma.

Salceda added that a ‘child-friendly space’ will also be designated in evacuation camps to ensure child protection from stressful situation, infra-family violence, drugs or sexual abuse. There should also be preplaced health kits and a health team must make regular visits to monitor the status of children and pregnant mothers and ensure adequate ensure nutrition, water and sanitation.

Salceda also explained that during emergencies, elderly and disabled persons have many of the same needs as the general population.

“All of these have been in the DRR reforms in order to address the needs of all sectors,” Salceda said.