Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced on Thursday that a cash-for-work (CFW) program will be provided to 1,323 families affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano, in addition to the provision of food and non-food items.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a media forum at the DSWD Central Office, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that these families include farmers and fisherfolk whose livelihoods were disrupted by the volcanic activity. Dumlao explained that when she and Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited Albay a few weeks back, they assured that additional interventions, beyond the usual food and non-food items, would be provided. This includes financial assistance through the cash-for-work modality, which they hope to commence before the end of January.

Under the CFW program, beneficiaries will receive financial aid based on the regional minimum wage rate multiplied by 30 days, an arrangement agreed upon by the affected local government units (LGUs) and the DSWD. Each beneficiary is expected to receive more than PHP13,000 a month in exchange for engaging in community-based work, such as planting in vacant areas, tending livestock, and maintaining sanitation facilities in evacuation centers.

Dumlao highlighted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered to ensure readiness in responding to the needs of citizens affected by various calamities. Secretary Gatchalian is strictly complying with this directive.

Dumlao also mentioned that the DSWD has provided PHP14 million worth of humanitarian aid, including family food packs (FFPs) distributed to Mayon-affected families and individuals. She assured the public that the department has sufficient resources to sustain long-term assistance, with more than enough FFPs prepositioned in various warehouses in the Bicol Region.

The department currently holds a stockpile of 3 million FFPs, with daily production of about 18,000 FFPs from the Luzon Disaster Resource Center in Pasay City and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center in Mandaue City, Cebu. Social workers and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) from DSWD 5 (Bicol) are deployed to various evacuation centers to ensure the welfare and psychosocial needs of internally displaced persons are met.

Dumlao noted that evacuation centers in the region are well-maintained and properly managed by the LGUs. The DSWD's Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC) report indicates that the ongoing activity of Mayon Volcano has affected 14 barangays, with 1,530 families, or 6,079 individuals, experiencing displacement and other forms of disruption. Approximately 1,116 families, comprising 4,060 individuals, are staying in 12 evacuation centers.