Guinobatan: Residents of Guinobatan, Albay have expressed their gratitude to the national government for its prompt response to the recent ashfall from Mayon Volcano, which impacted thousands of families in the region.
According to Philippines News Agency, Silverio Pielago, a barangay kagawad of Travesia, Guinobatan, extended his thanks to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for dispatching officials, including Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, to personally evaluate the situation and spearhead response efforts, particularly in clearing major roads of volcanic debris.
Pielago also acknowledged the backing from local and neighboring governments, including the provincial administrations of Sorsogon and Camarines Sur, which provided essential resources such as drinking water and other forms of aid. He noted that Albay Governor Noel Ebriega Rosal has also been attentive to their needs.
The execution of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program is anticipated to further support residents, especially in managing the substantial ash accumulation in their community. 'That will help address the problems in our barangay, especially in clearing the ash,' Pielago stated in the vernacular. He mentioned an upcoming orientation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to clarify qualifications for the TUPAD program.
Despite the assistance, Pielago appealed for more aid, pointing out that while national highways and main roads have been prioritized for clearing, interior streets within the barangay remain heavily laden with ash. 'This is one of the biggest burdens for our constituents because they cannot move around freely, even if they technically still can. Whenever vehicles pass by, the ash is blown into the air,' he explained. The thick ash presents a significant challenge for residents, complicating mobility and posing health and safety risks, especially when vehicles stir up the dust.
Mar Julia Culala, originally from Bulacan and now residing in Travesia, expressed that the prompt distribution of relief packs gave her hope, and she praised the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for its ongoing support to affected communities. Similarly, Lovely Odi±a highlighted the significant relief the aid packs provided to her family amid rising commodity prices and the aftermath of the ashfall incident that impacted Guinobatan and Camalig.
