ALERT LEVEL 3. Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 as it continues to exhibit a very slow effusion of lava flow on Friday (July 28, 2023). Based on the report of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5), a total of PHP256 million worth of assistance have been provided to the 5,814 affected families in different evacuation centers in the province of Albay. (PNA file photo by Connie Calipay)
LEGAZPI CITY – As Mayon Volcano continues its effusive eruption and remains under Alert Level 3, the number of affected families being aided by the government in evacuation centers in the province of Albay is nearing 6,000.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) chief Dr. Cedric Daep on Friday said a total of 5,814 families or 20,336 persons are staying in the different evacuation centers due to Mayon’s ongoing activity.
He said the number include 1,734 senior citizens, 178 pregnant women, 567 lactating mothers, and 380 persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Meanwhile, another 419 affected families or 1,453 individuals are being aided outside of evacuation centers.
Daep said the affected families are from 26 barangays located in the municipalities of Bacacay, Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo, and in Tabaco City and Ligao City.
Based on the report of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5), the assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) has now amounted to PHP256 million.
Earlier this week, DSWD-5 started distributing part of the 33,695 family food packs for the 3rd wave of assistance for Mayon evacuees.
The family food packs distributed will cover the food supply of Mayon-affected families from July 25 to Aug. 8.
Cash assistance was also given to 408 residents of Albay province whose livelihoods were affected by Mayon Volcano's restiveness, being inside the 6-km permanent danger zone (PDZ).
Mary Gizelle Mesa, DSWD-5 information officer, said PHP9.9 million worth of government assistance was distributed to the affected individuals from four LGUs.
"The beneficiaries were not staying inside evacuation centers but their source of income and livelihood was affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon. Each beneficiary received PHP24,660 covering two tranches of the DSWD emergency cash transfer (ECT) program," Mesa said in an earlier interview.
She said the beneficiaries who received the cash aid are from Daraga (351); Sto. Domingo (42); Camalig (14); and one in Tabaco City.
Mesa said DSWD Bicol currently has on standby 136,986 family food packs (FFPs) in different warehouses and another PHP7.6 million worth of stockpile for repacking in anticipation of augmentation.
Each family food pack can provide food on the table for two days for a family of five members.
She said the stockpile is composed of 37,500 kilograms of rice; 13,700 cans of corned beef; 502 cans of sardines; 164,072 cans of tuna; 142,280 sachets of 3-in-1 coffee; and 45,575 cereal drinks.
On top of these, a PHP5-million standby fund is ready for additional purchase of food packs or any kits as needed.
The agency has likewise prepared 74,796 pieces of non-food items worth PHP131 million, which include family tents; sleeping, family, hygiene and kitchen kits. (PNA)
