A LAWMAKER is pushing for an “adopt a livestock” program in areas in Albay affected by the increasing unrest of Mayon Volcano.
Senator Francis Tolentino made the proposal during his weekly radio program on DZRH.
“Yung experience po naman namin noon sa Taal eruption – ‘yung mga kabayo, mga baka, ang ginawa po, in-adopt po ng iba’t ibang lugar na safe pero malapit kung saan sila pwedeng alagaan. Sila muna ang nag-alaga. Siguro, nag-usap na lang sila ng may-ari ng hayop pagkatapos ng eruption kung may ire-reimburse kapag may kaunting nagastos,” said Tolentino.
Tolentino was the over-all onsite point person during the aftermath of the 2018 Mayon and 2020 Taal eruptions under the Duterte administration.
Albay Governor Grex Lagman welcomed Tolentino’s recommendation as the provincial government will soon begin its evacuation for some 10,000 heads of livestock from the 6-km. permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano and will be placed in a separate evacuation center.
“Itong ‘adopt a livestock’ program ay bago po ito sa akin. Magandang ideya po ito, Senator,” said Lagman.
The Albay governor said the program is a good solution to avoid overcrowding in the evacuation center.
Around 10,600 residents of Albay residing inside the permanent danger zone have already been evacuated, including around 5,000 people from Tolentino’s birth place in the municipality of Guinobatan.
Tolentino lauded the swift response of the Albay’s provincial government following its declaration of a state of calamity to ensure the safety not only of its residents but also the existing livestock in the province.
