Government assistance worth more than P128.11 million has been distributed to families affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay, as authorities continue to conduct relief operations and monitoring of displaced residents across the province.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), P117.4 million of the total aid came from its disaster response funds, supporting thousands of families impacted by ashfall, rockfall, and precautionary evacuations in Region V.
Latest data from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC) showed that 52,590 families or 199,367 individuals across 124 barangays have been affected. Of these, 1,470 families or 5,544 persons have been displaced.
Most of the displaced residents—1,444 families or 5,459 individuals—are staying in 14 evacuation centers in Camalig, Malilipot, Ligao, and Tabaco, while others are temporarily sheltered with relatives.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency has been providing food packs, non-food items, and ready-to-eat meals, along with cash-for-work and emergency cash transfers to support affected families.
She added that psychosocial support services are also being extended to help evacuees cope with the disruption.
Following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Dumlao said government efforts remain focused on ensuring sufficient food supply, health services, and other immediate needs of affected communities.
As of May 3, the DSWD has distributed over 71,000 family food packs, more than 7,600 non-food items, and around 1,400 ready-to-eat meals to evacuees.
In addition, over P45 million in assistance has been released to nearly 3,500 farmers and internally displaced persons whose livelihoods were affected by volcanic activity, including those unable to tend crops and livestock due to evacuation orders.
Dumlao said cash assistance is also helping families purchase essential needs not covered by relief packs, such as milk for children and medicines.
She noted that coordination with local governments continues to ensure proper conditions in evacuation centers, including ventilation and cooling measures amid hot weather to prevent illness among evacuees.
President Marcos earlier said the government is prioritizing food distribution and health services for affected communities while maintaining clearing and response operations in coordination with national agencies.
He also said the Department of Public Works and Highways is working to clear affected roads, while the Department of Health continues to provide medical assistance and protective gear such as face masks.
Authorities continue to monitor Mayon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 3, with entry to the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone still prohibited. Residents within an eight-kilometer radius are advised to prepare for possible evacuation should alert status be raised further.