Gordon comes to Bicol's aid anew in latest Mayon disaster

Senator Richard J. Gordon is back in Bicol. This time to help some 3,000 families that were living within the eight-kilometer danger zone and evacuated from their homes after Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol showed signs of renewed activity.

Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), arrived in Legazpi City today to spearhead relief distribution operations and to lead a Red Cross rapid assessment team in determining the situation in the evacuation centers.

In preparation for the imminent eruption of Mt. Mayon, the PNRC earlier this week installed a medical facility and other equipment in Albay. During an emergency meeting at PNRC headquarters, Gordon instructed the dispatch of a rub hall in Camalig, Albay, which is now being used as Emergency Health Station. Foreseeing a need tor clean potable water in order to prevent disease, Gordon also installed a water bladder in Albay Elementary School.

Gordon and a team of Red Cross volunteers will distribute relief goods in Gogon Elementary School, Bagumbayan Elementary School, Albay Central School, Daraga National High School and Daraga North Central School.

To enable the evacuees to still celebrate Christmas despite being away from their homes, the relief goods will include two packs of spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, cheese, spam, powdered juice, coffee, lollipop and jellyace.

Aside from food items, the Red Cross will distribute jerry cans, plastic mats and blankets. Several Red Cross ambulances are also on stand by at the evacuation centers.

Last Sunday, the alert level at Mayon had been raised to 4, which means an intense unrest deep in the volcano. Symptoms include persistent tremors and low-frequency quakes and intense crater glow.

This is not the first time that Gordon has come to the aid of the Bicol region, having been involved in rescue and relief operations during the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Mayon in the past two decades.

Gordon also led relief and rehabilitation efforts in various areas in the Bicol region after the onslaught of super typhoons Milenyo, Paeng and Reming. Under the rehabilitation efforts, the Red Cross has provided 15,000 typhoon resistant homes in Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Sorsogon, as well as other provinces in the country.