Albay: The delivery of humanitarian aid remains the top priority of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as it continues to support Albay residents directly affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a report on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that the agency has already provided PHP12.8 million worth of humanitarian assistance to affected areas in the Bicol Region as of Jan. 21. The report indicates that as of 6 a.m., a total of 14 barangays have been affected, involving 1,508 families or 6,031 individuals.
Data from field reports showed that 1,114 families or 4,092 individuals are currently staying in 12 evacuation centers. Dumlao emphasized that the DSWD continues to monitor the situation and ensure the delivery of aid remains uninterrupted. The agency is committed to making sure that all affected individuals have access to ample food, sleeping quarters, and other necessary support due to the volcanic activity.
Dumlao noted that the provision of immediate assistance and the preparedness measures of the DSWD align with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety and welfare of communities affected by disasters. To date, the DSWD has a Quick Response Fund (QRF) amounting to PHP3.04 billion, and standby food and non-food items worth PHP3.3 billion to ensure sustained response operations.
