More than P1.3 billion worth of relief assistance has already been prepositioned by the national government to address the needs of residents affected by the restiveness of Mayon Volcano for 90 days, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) disclosed Monday, June 19.
(File photo)
OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said concerned national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) have been in constant communication to coordinate their response amid Mayon’s unrest and ensure the well-being of the individuals affected in Albay.
“Ang paghahanda po namin ay nasa 90 days ang tinitignan natin. Kung matapos nang maaga, mas mabuti po iyon pero dapat handa po ang pamahalaan, national government at local government sa minimum of 90 days (Our preparation covers 90 days If this is finished earlier, then it would be better but the national government and local government should be prepared for the minimum of 90 days),” Nepomuceno said in a public briefing.
“Nakapreposition po ang pamahalaan ng mahigit P1.3 billion worth of assistance. Ito ‘yung pagkain, hygiene kits, at iba pang pangangailangan lalo na ang tubig (The national government has prepositioned more than P1.3 billion worth of assistance. These include food, hygiene kits, and other necessities especially water),” he added.
The 90-day preparation, according to Nepomuceno, was based on the previous experiences of the Albay local government when Mayon erupted in 2014 and 2018.
“Naging 90 days ‘yung nangyari na nagtagal sa Level 3 at pumitik pa sa Level 4 ‘yung sitwasyon kaya dapat ready po (What happened was that Alert Level 3 lasted for 90 days and it even reached Level 4 so we really need to prepare),” the OCD official recalled.
At present, Mayon is on Alert Level 3 and a total of 10,146 families or 38,961 individuals from Bacacay, Camalig, Ligao, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Tabaco have been adversely affected by the ongoing volcanic activities at Mayon.
Of the number, a total of 5,466 families or 18,892 were staying in 28 evacuation centers.
“Ang maaaring challenging lang po from Level 3 kapag ginawang Level 4 hanggang level 5 ng Phivolcs [Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology], halos mado-doble po ang ating mga aalalayan sa evacuation centers (the only thing that would be challenging is if the [Alert] Level 3 is raised to Level 4 or Level 5 by Phivolcs since the number of people we have to assist in the evacuation centers will nearly double),” Nepomuceno said, explaining that if the alert level is raised, those residing within the extended Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) will also have to evacuate.
Illnesses
Meanwhile, a total of 628 evacuees have required medical attention due to various illnesses they acquired, based on the OCD’s monitoring from June 12 to 17.
The top 10 most common illnesses experienced by the evacuees include cough and colds, fever, acute respiratory infection, headache, hypertension, dizziness, skin disease, abdominal pain, colds, and acute gastroenteritis.
OCD spokesperson Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said this should not be a cause for concern as the situation remains manageable.
“There’s no outbreak [of diseases],” he said. “The Department of Health is conducting medical missions to distribute medicines, do checkups, and isolate those who have cold and fever.”
Relocation
The national government is also mulling to establish a permanent relocation site for those who are residing within the six-km radius PDZ around Mayon Volcano.
“Tanggapin na natin na talagang napakadelikado para sa mga kababayan natin ‘yun pong naninirahan sa Permanent Danger Zone na sa ngayon ay six kilometers ‘yan. Tinitignan natin ‘yung posibilidad na maaari na silang ilikas kasi mayroon naman talagang pagbabawal na dyan (Let’s just accept the fact that it is really too dangerous for the public to reside within the six-km Permanent Danger zone. We are looking at the possibility of relocating them because there really is a prohibition for residents to live there),” Nepomuceno said.
He said they will determine what remedies should be given to residents, especially the farmers, since they will lose their source of livelihood if ever they get relocated.
“Subalit kung tatanungin niyo kami, dapat mas permanente talaga na ang paninirahan dyan ay huwag nang mangyari kasi talagang namemeligro ang buhay nila. Naiintindihan natin hindi ganoon kadali ang paglikas pero dapat ikonsidera po iyan (But if you are going to ask us, living [within the PDZ] should no longer be allowed because their lives are in constant danger. We understand that it’s not easy to relocate but they should consider it),” Nepomuceno noted.