MANILA, Philippines (ENS) — Malacanang said President Benigno S. Aquino III, who is on an official tour of Europe, receives regular updates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) on the impending eruption of Mayon volcano in Albay.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said on Wednesday that the President is updated on the activities concerning Mayon volcano, and the ongoing evacuation in Albay, as well as the updates on the recent typhoon “Luis.”
“The NDRRMC updates the President. So, wala tayong problema doon sa Mayon volcano, or any natural calamity that has happened,” Lacierda said during a press briefing in Malacañang.
Lacierda said the President had been updated on Typhoon Luis and the ferry that capsized in Southern Leyte.
He further said that the government is ready to assist Albay once Mount Mayon erupts.
“Hindi naman nagkukulang ang national government sa pagtulong. Tuwing humihingi ng tulong si (Albay) Governor Salceda, for instance, ‘kapag may bagyo… let’s say, mga prepositioned goods, (Social Welfare) Secretary Dinky Soliman would provide that,” Lacierda said. “But, certainly, the national government will help the local government in case they ask for our assistance.”
Local officials in Albay have been evacuating thousands of people from a 6-km radius around Mount Mayon after the country’s seismology agency issued an alert, saying the volcano could erupt “within weeks.” (Eagle News Service with a report from PND)
