Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has so far helped evacuate over 195,000 persons and deployed desalination units to provide drinking water amid the massive ashfall from the Mayon Volcano in Albay province. In a radio interview over Radyo Pilipinas on Tuesday, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said a total of 195,363 individuals have so far been transferred or evacuated in affected municipalities, while two water purification or desalination units have been brought to the towns of Guinobatan and Camalig.

According to Philippines News Agency, these desalination units are capable of producing over 10,000 liters of clean and safe drinking water daily. Several PCG stations, substations, and the PCG District Bicol have been placed on heightened alert, with several deployable response groups activated and ready to respond to emergencies 24/7.

PCG personnel are also assisting local government units in conducting clearing operations and helping the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) transport family food packs to affected barangays. To ensure the safety of residents and frontline personnel, N95 masks and wet rags are being used to prevent inhalation of volcanic ash.

Cayabyab emphasized that the aid and response delivered to Bicol is part of a whole-of-government approach, with several government agencies working together and complementing each other to meet the needs of the public. She advised those in affected communities to be ready and prepare drinking water, food, medicine, flashlight, and important documents to take with them in case they are brought to evacuation centers.

A large volume of pyroclastic material blanketed over 124 barangays in Albay, mostly in the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan and Ligao City, following Mayon's unrest on May 2. To date, the DSWD said it has distributed over PHP117 million in humanitarian assistance to affected families.