Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) — For residents living within Mayon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone, evacuating is easy but leaving your sources of income behind is a tough choice.
It has been almost a week since Merlyn Saunar was told to leave her home in Barangay Anoling, Camalig, Albay. But while she and her family have moved to the evacuation center with some personal belongings, Merlyn tries to return from time to time to check on her small store and feed their animals.
“Kapag talagang pinagbawalan na kami rito aalis talaga kami, pero sana huwag bawalan na magpakain ng alagang hayop,” Merlyn told CNN Philippines.
[Translation: If they will prohibit us from coming, we will respect that. But I hope they will still allow us to feed our animals]
Mayon was placed under Alert Level 3 after it showed an increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption. This triggered an immediate evacuation of people residing within the volcano’s danger zone, which is at risk for lava flows, rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards.
Merlyn says she earns ₱500 a day from her sari-sari store, an amount she could not earn while at the evacuation center.
“Ito yung pinagkaka-kitaan namin dito kami kumukuha ng hanapbuhay, nandito yung pananim namin, dito kami nabubuhay,” she said.
[Translation: This is where we earn and make ends meet. Our livelihood is here. This is how we survive.]
Merlyn is disappointed that some would consider them as “pasaway,” or stubborn, since they are only protecting their only form of livelihood.
“Hindi matigas ulo namin, ang iba hindi naman makaintindi sa sitwasyon namin kasi hindi naman nila naranasan ang Mayon,” the 68-year-old woman said.
[Translation: We are not stubborn. Some don’t understand our situation because they haven’t experienced what it’s like living in Mayon.]
PNP to implement ‘pakiusapan’ strategy
According to Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, they are aware of the concerns of people living within the six-kilometer zone.
PNP Regional Director Westrimundo Obinque said they have set up “chokepoints” in 80 entry points to prevent residents from returning to danger zones.
Obinque, however, said that there could be special cases for humanitarian reasons.
“Kung talagang kinakailangan at life and death ang naiwan niya ito siguro sasamahan ng pulis natin na babalikan pero as much as possible hindi namin papayagan, papakiusapan na lang namin kung kailan sila ide-declare na ibabalik,” he told CNN Philippines.
[Translation: If it’s a matter of life and death and that person needs to go back, a police officer can go with them. But as much as possible we will not allow them to enter and appeal to them to follow the directive of authorities]
Obinque said they would try to convince more residents to evacuate rather than threaten them with punishment or possible sanctions.
“Kung sa rally meron kaming mantra na maximum tolerance, dito sa disaster or calamity ang pinapairal namin ay maximum pakiusapan,” the official said.
[Translation: If in rallies, our mantra is maximum tolerance, in disaster response, it should be maximum appeal to evacuate.]
The PNP deployed around 600 personnel to respond to Mayon’s unrest and has not asked other provinces to augment the force.
