Legazpi: Total humanitarian assistance for families affected by the ongoing activity of Mayon Volcano has reached PHP128 million, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 5 (Bicol) reported on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio disclosed that PHP117.4 million of the assistance came from the agency itself, with local government units (LGUs) contributing PHP1.7 million and non-governmental organizations/partners providing PHP8.9 million. The latest distribution on Sunday included family food packs for 4,241 households, particularly farmers in Camalig, Albay, who are impacted by Mayon's continued unrest.
Of the total, 353 families evacuated from the seven-kilometer Extended Danger Zone due to heavy ashfall also received ready-to-eat food boxes and sleeping kits at the Tagaytay Evacuation Center. Laurio assured the prompt and continuous delivery of aid to these displaced residents.
In Guinobatan, DSWD distributed food packs and facemasks to residents affected by the ashfall. Recipients included 1,363 individuals in Barangay San Rafael, 1,100 in Barangay Travesia, 830 in Barangay Morera, 665 in Barangay Ilawod, and 330 in Barangay Poblacion. The ashfall has severely affected farmers, damaging their crops and livelihoods.
Meanwhile, other residents of Guinobatan who continue to feel the effects of Mayon Volcano's eruption are also set to receive assistance in the coming days. Internally displaced families likewise received other forms of assistance.
Under the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, 1,105 beneficiary families received a total of PHP11.3 million. For the Cash-for-Work (CFW) program for affected farmers, the agency has served 2,169 beneficiaries out of a target of 2,644, with total disbursements reaching PHP28.3 million. Laurio noted that the interventions aim to provide immediate relief and temporary livelihood support to families displaced or affected by the volcano's activity.
Meanwhile, the agency reported a total resource capacity of PHP240.5 million to sustain ongoing response operations, including PHP2.2 million in standby funds and PHP238.2 million in prepositioned relief supplies. The prepositioned supplies include 293,079 family food packs valued at PHP164.91 million and various non-food items such as family kits, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and sleeping kits. The agency also has 27,322 ready-to-eat food packs available for immediate distribution. These resources remain on standby to address any escalation in Mayon's activity.
