DSWD dispatches 153K food packs as part of 90-day relief effort for Mayon evacuees
As part of the 90-day relief assistance for Mayon-affected families in Albay, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured that approximately 153,000 food packs have been delivered to the province.
The assurance came in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to national agencies to cover 90 days of relief assistance to evacuees, which is the maximum period of Mayon Volcano's unrest based on the volcano's past behavior.
On June 13, Gatchalian said that after the DSWD provided food packs for 15 days to the affected families, the Albay provincial government would take over, feeding the families for six days.Â
When this time period expires on the 21st day, the DSWD will intervene once more to provide food packs for an additional 15 days.
According to the DSWD chief, if the volcanic unrest in Albay lasts 90 days, the DSWD will meet again with concerned local government units (LGUs) to come up with a plan for "who feeds on what days."
Since the family food packs only contain "typical" items that might not be sufficient for the needs of nursing mothers, young children, and senior citizens, the DSWD is also considering providing financial aid.