Government assistance continues to reach thousands of residents affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano, with support now extending beyond evacuees to include farmers, transport workers, and even livestock owners impacted by ashfall and volcanic activity.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol said nearly 70,000 affected families have already received food and non-food assistance since the volcanic unrest intensified.
DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio said the agency has so far distributed around P147 million worth of aid, including emergency cash transfers earlier handed out by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
Laurio added that financial assistance for affected farmers is scheduled for release next week following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“We will begin this from Monday to Wednesday. The DSWD has prepared P65 million for this,” Laurio said, noting that the funds were downloaded from the DSWD central office to the regional office on Thursday.
The DSWD also assured evacuees and local governments that relief resources remain sufficient despite continuing volcanic activity and the threat of other weather disturbances.
“We have more than 300,000 family food packs in stockpile,” Laurio said, adding that hygiene kits, ready-to-eat meals, and other emergency supplies are also available in warehouses across the Bicol Region.
Authorities are likewise monitoring the condition and morale of internally displaced residents staying in evacuation centers and temporary “tent city” shelters.
Meanwhile, the Albay Veterinary Office said it has intensified feed distribution and veterinary assistance for livestock and poultry affected by ashfall and pyroclastic density current (PDC) incidents linked to Mayon’s activity.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Pancho Mella said grazing areas in ash-covered communities have been severely damaged, making feed assistance urgently necessary.
“Feeds should be provided to villages affected by ashfall because there is really no grass left,” Mella said.
The veterinary office is also preparing medical missions to assess surviving livestock and pets once conditions improve.
Based on data from the veterinary office as of May 8, at least 76 animals have died while two others remain missing following the May 2 PDC incident.
In Barangay Anoling in Camalig, reported animal deaths included five carabaos, two cattle, five dogs, and 10 chickens. One carabao and one cow were also reported missing.
In Barangay Mi-isi in Daraga, authorities recorded the deaths of two carabaos, one cow, 50 chickens, and one dog, with estimated losses reaching P391,000.
Mella clarified that the animals that perished were not among those transferred earlier to government-designated animal pooling stations.
“The animals that died were not pooled animals,” he explained, adding that no deaths or missing animals have so far been recorded among livestock sheltered at designated evacuation sites.
“So far, there has been no mortality and no missing animals,” Mella said. “The animals in the pooling stations are safe.”
However, ashfall has also affected forage and grass supply in pooling areas, prompting the need for additional feed support.
Aside from aid for residents and farmers, the government has also begun distributing financial assistance to public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers affected by the volcanic crisis.
Laurio said more than 4,000 drivers across Albay and other parts of Bicol are expected to benefit from the payout program, which is being conducted in coordination with local government units, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and other agencies.
The DSWD is likewise preparing assistance for transport and delivery drivers, with payout activities scheduled on May 30.
Laurio said payout venues are being carefully selected to ensure orderly distribution and avoid overcrowding.
“Please do not worry because the agency has sufficient food supplies, non-food items, and cash assistance ready for distribution,” he said.