President Duterte assured Sorsoganons, who were affected by the phreatic eruption of the Bulusan Volcano over the weekend, that the government will be present to help them.

The President also asked residents near the volcano to “kindly just follow instructions.”

“You know, we are there. Government is there to help. Walang ibang trabaho ‘yan (It has no other work). So kindly just follow instructions because ang trabaho ng mga taga-gobyerno diyan ay para sa inyo (the work of the government is for you),” he said during his weekly “Talk to the People” on late Monday night.

Duterte added that all “relevant departments”, especially the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are already in Sorsogon.

“I hope that you are satisfied by the reaction of government vis-à-vis with the ating problema sa (our problems with) volcanic eruptions,” he said.

However, the outgoing Chief Executive also reminded those living near the volcano and those affected by the volcanic activities not to be hard-headed.

There was already a forecast of the “worst scenario”, so Duterte stressed that “there will be a lot of movement of people.”

READ: 29 volcanic quakes recorded in Bulusan in past 24 hours — Phivolcs

“And huwag ho kayong — eh kasi ang iba magmamatigas pa, ayaw (don’t be — others are still being hard-headed),” he lamented.

The Bulusan Volcano spewed ash in Sorsogon province on Sunday, June 5, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuation centers.

“This is to notify the public and concerned authorities of an ongoing phreatic eruption at Bulusan Volcano,” Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed in a social media post.

The agency said this means Alert Level 1 is raised over Bulusan Volcano because it is in an “abnormal condition.”

The phreatic eruption started at 10:37 a.m. and lasted for about 17 minutes.

Reports said there is minimal to zero visibility caused by the thick ash.