BICOL, PHILIPPINES – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended over Php117 million worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in the Bicol Region.
Comprehensive Aid for Displaced Families
According to a press release from the DSWD, the assistance includes food and non-food items, psychosocial support, cash-for-work (CFW) programs, and emergency cash transfers (ECT) for internally displaced persons (IDPs) residing near the volcano.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) emphasized the department’s commitment to replenishing food packs and other resources to ensure continuous support for affected families. This directive aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s instructions to prioritize the Bicol Region during this crisis.
Breakdown of Assistance
As of May 3, the DSWD has provided the following:
- 71,153 family food packs (FFPs)
- 7,634 non-food items (NFIs)
- 1,402 ready-to-eat food packs (RTEFs)
In addition, over Php45 million in cash aid has been distributed to more than 3,487 farmers and IDPs whose livelihoods were disrupted by the volcano’s pyroclastic activity.
Cash-for-Work Program
The cash-for-work initiative allows displaced farmers to earn income by engaging in activities such as planting on vacant plots or tending to livestock within evacuation centers. This program ensures that affected individuals can continue to support their families despite the disruption.
Emergency Cash Transfers
The DSWD also provides unconditional emergency cash transfers of over Php10,000 per family. This financial aid addresses immediate needs not covered by food and non-food assistance, such as baby formula, supplements, and other essential items.
Evacuation Center Monitoring
Currently, 1,444 families (5,459 individuals) are taking temporary shelter in 14 evacuation centers across Camalig, Malilipot, Ligao, and Tabaco in Albay province. The DSWD, in coordination with local government units (LGUs), is ensuring proper ventilation and cooling areas in these centers to prevent heat-related illnesses.
Resources Ready for Deployment
The DSWD maintains a stockpile of over 1.6 million family food packs, with more than 270,532 FFPs readily available at the DSWD Field Office 5 in the Bicol Region for immediate augmentation.
The department continues to work closely with LGUs to monitor the situation and provide sustained support to affected families.