Philippino Volcano Vigil Leaves Thousands In Limbo
Pastor Dale Morgan
Philippino Volcano Vigil Leaves Thousands In Limbo*
Legaspi (AFP) Philippines, Aug 31, 2006
For weeks the picturesque Mayon volcano has simmered, sending dark smoke
into the air and bleeding fiery lava from its crater. But as thousands
of Filipinos remain stuck in limbo at evacuation centers, it refuses to
erupt, or cool its anger.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), which
is monitoring Mayon warns the volcano is still dangerous and is expected
to erupt soon. But the question on most people's lips is, "When?"
"It is too early to discount the possibility of a hazardous eruption,"
the institute said this week, warning that at any moment, the volcano
could belch out a deadly "pyroclastic flow" of heated ash and dust that
could kill anyone near to its peak, as it has done on many occasions in
the past.
But the scientists have been saying similar things since August 7 when
Mayon first started showing major unrest with numerous ash explosions
and volcanic tremors.
Mayon, located some 350 kilometers (217 miles) southeast of Manila, is
the most active volcano in the country. Its last deadly eruption in 1993
killed 77 farmers who were smothered by a sudden burst of gas and ash.
So the latest burst of activity prompted the government to declare a six
to eight kilometer (four-to-five mile) danger zone around the majestic
volcano and evacuate some 44,000 villagers out of harm's way.
Huddled in some 28 evacuation centers, mostly converted schools where
they sleep as many as 50 people to a classroom, they subsist on a
monotonous fare of rice, instant noodles and canned food, and wait to go
home.
Officials warn that it could take at least two months before the
volcano's activity stabilizes enough to let them go home.
"I don't know if I can take it for that long," complains Roderick
Avellana, 29, who says he sometimes has to sleep curled up on a small
table in a corridor because there is not enough room in the classroom
that houses his family.
Mayon's recent erratic behaviour has left volcanologists puzzled.
Normally, the 8,070-foot (2,460-meter) volcano starts its eruptive phase
by emitting lava and then exploding in a few days but Mayon has been
oozing lava now since since mid-July and a powerful eruption still has
not taken place.
"We're surprised, after so many tremors it still has not erupted," said
Ernesto Corpuz, head of Phivolcs volcano monitoring division.
"Given the history of Mayon, it should have exploded already," sayd
Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum.
The government's immediate concern is that the congestion at the
evacuation centers could result in an outbreak of disease but so far,
this has not happened.
Prefabricated housing which President Gloria Arroyo called for two weeks
ago to relieve the congestion has only recently begun to arrive and is
being errected by the evacuees.
Tents have also arrived and some of the congestion is easing but not
fast enough for many of the residents who would rather be on their
mountainside farms away from the noise and congestion of the city.
The government is spending two million pesos (39,200 dollars) a day to
feed and house the evacuated villagers and is trying to stretch its
budget as much as possible in anticipation of a prolonged stay.
In a worst case scenario, if the eruption proves to be more dangerous
than expected, the government is ready to evacuate as many as 74,000
people from an extended 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) danger zone, Cedric
Daep, provincial disaster relief coordinator said.
Up to 54 evacuation centers could be opened, he says.
The villagers have tried to make themselves at home as best they can,
setting up small stores and engaging in spinning of abaca fibers, a
cottage industry that earns extra money for farmers.
Charitable groups and ambitious politicians have been circulating in the
area, providing relief goods, ensuring there will be no shortage of food
but some of the men still sneak back into the danger zones to tend their
farms, safeguard their belongings -- and enjoy the freedom of staying in
their own homes.
"I can take two months here (in the evacuation centers) as long as I go
home occasionally," said farmer Winston Mena, 35.
Source: Agence France-Presse