Albay Governor Noel Rosal said the provincial government has begun localized, preemptive evacuations in preparation for the possible effects of Tropical Storm Ada, even if the weather system is not expected to make a direct landfall in the province.
In an interview with DZRH, Rosal explained that while Ada may pass outside Albay, its trough could still bring heavy rains that pose risks, particularly in areas within a six-kilometer radius of Mayon Volcano and in flood- and landslide-prone communities.
“Kapag bagyo iba ang treatment namin d’yan. Pag nasa ulaning area ka, i-evacuate natin,” Rosal said. He noted that the evacuations are short-term and usually overnight, aimed at ensuring safety through preemptive measures.
The governor clarified that the evacuations are not forcibly imposed and are implemented at the barangay level. Local residents decide to comply, while the provincial government provides food and basic provisions for evacuees, including supplies they can bring home afterward.
Rosal said the evacuations related to the approaching storm are separate from those carried out due to Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest.
Mayon remains under Alert Level 3, with the possibility of pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), although authorities have not observed strong pressure that could trigger a major explosive eruption similar to that in 2018.
“Hindi pa malakas ang pressure to create pyroclastic explosion or magmatic na gaya na nangyayari 2018. Kaya ngayon, steady lang tayo sa alert level 3 and yung 1,000 subsistence, may pagkain na yun up to 15 days,” Rosal explained.
He assured the public that relief operations remain sufficient, citing support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which has committed provisions for 15 days, followed by additional assistance from the local government unit for another 15 days.
Rosal said contingency planning is in place should Mayon’s alert level be raised to 4 or 5, a scenario that could affect as many as 50,000 individuals. In such a case, he said broader support would be needed, including assistance from private hospitals and other sectors.
Addressing concerns over possible lahar flows due to the combination of volcanic activity and heavy rains from the storm, Rosal urged residents to remain calm but vigilant.
“Not to worry po sa mga kababayan natin dito sa Albay. On top of the situation, alert level 3 lang po tayo,” the governor said.
He reiterated that only about a thousand families are currently affected by the volcanic unrest, but stressed that preemptive evacuations will again be ordered if weather conditions worsen, particularly in flood- and landslide-prone areas.
Rosal said these directives are being closely coordinated by the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as the province continues to monitor both the weather disturbance and Mayon Volcano’s activity.
