From an island bustling with tourists to a wasteland, the island transformed into a post-apocalyptic ghost town covered in ash. Despite government warnings and President Rodrigo Duterte declaring Pulo a "no man's land," some residents chose to stay temporarily in the disaster-stricken island for survival. Santa Milagrosa, a village that has seen better days—now filled with deserted homes that give off an eerie atmosphere, is now declared a “no man's land” by the national government. However, some island residents chose to take refuge at evacuation centers for easier access to relief goods. For Mylene, who is staying at Aya Evacuation Center, "We still chose to stay as we're given priority there.

Source: Philippine Star December 19, 2020 03:33 UTC