OCD: P33.6 million worth of relief assistance sent to Mayon evacuees
A total of P33,640,219.14 worth of relief assistance from the national government, private organizations, and non-government organizations had been delivered to evacuees in Albay amid Mayon Volcano’s unrest, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Wednesday, June 14.
*Mayon Volcano emits steam-laden plumes on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The province of Albay was placed under state of calamity due to the threat of volcanic eruption. (ALI VICOY/MANILA BULLETIN)
* Out of this, a total of P9.2 million worth of assistance came from the OCD, and the latest batch of relief items they transported to Albay included tarpaulin rolls, N95 face masks, family food packs, hygiene kits, pelican cases, and a portable water filtration unit. “We will continue to provide necessary support from the national government to the affected local government units. Our coordination with OCD regional offices is continuous as we closely monitor the situation,” OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said. The bulk of assistance was composed of family food packs for the displaced residents amounting to P18.6 million. This was followed by hygiene kits worth P6.03 million, and sleeping kits worth P4.66 million. The OCD will also provide 3,200 rice sacks amounting to P4 million for the affected communities, according to Nepomuceno, to ensure that the evacuees will have enough supply of food. Data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed that there were a total of 9,571 families or 37,231 individuals from Bacacay, Camalig, Ligao, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Tabaco who have been affected by Mayon Volcano’s continuing unrest. Of this, a total of 4,417 families or 15,502 individuals were evacuated from their homes and staying in 22 evacuation centers. “We have reminded our counterparts and the LGUs [local government units] to implement precautionary measures aggressively to ensure the safety of the residents. We also ask the residents to always follow authorities’ warnings and advisories.” Nepomuceno said.