The lack of adequate space for evacuees in Albay due to the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano continues to be a challenge for the government, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed.

*Mayon Volcano (File photo)

* A situational report from the NDRRMC on Monday, June 12, said a total of 3,934 families or 14,360 individuals from Camalig, Ligao, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, and Tabaco have already been affected by Mayon’s volcanic activities. Of the number, there were 3,782 families or 13,792 individuals packed in 22 evacuation centers in the six affected areas. Others were staying with their relatives or friends. Local chief executives in Albay appealed to the government to build permanent housing for families who are constantly being evacuated as a recourse for those affected by Mayon's unrest and other calamities. During the visit of Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Rex Gatchalian in Albay, mayors from different cities and municipalities in the province raised concerns about addressing the overcrowding in the evacuation centers. Ligao City Mayor Fernando Gonzales emphasized the urgent need to address the traditional practice of using public schools as default evacuation centers, saying that such establishments are not well-equipped to accommodate evacuees. Tabaco Mayor Grisel Lagman-Luistro also requested Gatchalian to persuade Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) to discuss terms about the President's Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) Program. The 4H refers to a massive government housing program which aims to build six million housing units annually all over the country until 2028.

Supplies

Meanwhile, food, water and other supplies were distributed to the evacuees to ensure that their primary needs are met. The NDRRMC noted that a total of P20,191,842.39 worth of relief assistance from the DSWD have been distributed to the affected residents including family food packs, potable water, family tents, hygiene kits, and sleeping kits among others as of June 12. Diego Agustin Mariano, head of Office of Civil Defense’s (OCD) joint information unit, had said that the national government stands ready to augment the supplies of the local government units (LGUs) in Albay to ensure that there would be enough food and water for all evacuees. Mayon Volcano’s alert was raised to Level 3 last week which means that it is currently “in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or days.”