Residents walk in mud to get supplies as landslides blocked roads in Libon, Albay

Some houses in Libon, Albay were damaged due to the landslide brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to Chino Gaston’s "24 Oras" report on Wednesday.

In Barangay Borabod, big chunks of stone fell from the mountain and damaged almost 30 houses.

Rescuers are still looking for a missing resident.

A resident, Vilma Rosal said she was fortunate to have gone out at the height of the storm to check on their crops.

When she returned, she said her house and two vehicles were no longer in their original places as they appeared to be moved by the masses of earth, rock and mud that moved down the slope.

“Eh sabi ko, yung asawa kooo nandun. Tapos, salamat po sa Dioys, salamat po sa mga tao at nailabas po nila (yung asawa mo) opo. Pagkalabas nila, seconds lang daw po, ayan na anjan na,” Rosal said.

(I told them, my husband was still inside. I’m thankful to the Lord and I’m thankful for our neighbors for taking my husband outside. When they got out, it only took seconds before the landslide.)

Residents who lost their homes were brought to a nearby relocation site.

Not more than three massive landslides blocked that road going to coastal barangays.

The soil underneath some roads eroded.

Those going to Metro Manila or bringing supplies to Barangay Pantao rode motorcycles, while some were forced to walk in the mud.

A woman named Mikaela from the flooded Barangay Pantao was resting between the two landslide areas along with her two children.

“Mag-antay na daw po kami ng piyesta. Dapat aalis na kami kasi maulan na, hindi na po kami na ano kasi yung ano, yung tubig sa amin yung bahay namin hanggang dibdib na, kanselado na daw po lahat ng biyahe,” Mikaela said.

(We were told to wait for the fiesta. We were supposed to leave since it was raining but the flood in our house was chest-deep. All trips were canceled.)

In Libon, Albay, residents were cleaning the mud in a wet market after the flood subsided.

Meanwhile, several classrooms in Bonbon Elementary School were cleaned but its hallway still has mud and its books and computers were damaged.

Residents also flocked to the relief distribution of the Philippine Red Cross.

Although some evacuees have returned home, they still need food and clean drinking water.

“Walang mainom na tubig kasi lahat ng poso lubog. Pangit ang lasa, hindi pwede,” said Nedito Velarde, resident of Linon.

(We have no drinking water since the well is not clean. It has a foul taste; it’s not for drinking.)

According to the Albay Provincial Council, almost 2,000 families are in evacuation centers.

There are still three isolated barangays in Libon due to impassable roads. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News