Camalig: A total of 1,323 internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano received payouts under the 30-day cash-for-work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5).

According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Villareal, DSWD-Bicol Disaster Response Management Division chief, stated that each beneficiary received PHP13,050, amounting to a total of PHP17.2 million for IDPs from areas including Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Malilipot, and Tabaco City. Villareal added that the payout was conducted simultaneously last Saturday, with some beneficiaries still collecting their payments for those unclaimed.

The cash-for-work scheme provided families with immediate resources to purchase food, medicine, and other daily necessities while residing in evacuation centers or temporary shelters. Villareal emphasized that for many displaced families, whose livelihoods were disrupted by the volcanic activity, the program offered more than temporary income, restoring a sense of productivity during a period of uncertainty.

Villareal further noted that the payout aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure timely and responsive government support for disaster-affected communities. He highlighted that the efforts improved living conditions inside shelters and strengthened community participation in recovery initiatives. Ongoing deduplication and clean-listing are also being conducted for IDP farmers who will receive cash-for-work assistance.

Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating a high level of unrest, and entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone is prohibited.