DSWD gets ready as Taal, Mayon volcanoes show signs of 'unrest'
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday, June 5 directed its field offices in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Bicol to prepare for the ongoing unrest at Taal and Mayon volcanoes in Batangas and Albay, respectively.
“The concerned regional field offices have been directed to stockpile on their family food packs and ensure that they have sufficient standby funds as part of the preparation for both the Taal and Mayon volcanic unrest,” Gatchalian said.
The regional directors of DSWD Field Offices IV-A and V were specifically instructed by Gatchalian to gather “historic data” in their respective regions, which included information on the number of municipalities and families affected and the projected duration of the volcanic unrest.
“The historic data will be very helpful in determining the approximate number of FFPs (family food packs) that needs to be stockpiled. It is very important to closely monitor the activities of the Taal and Mayon and updates be sent in real-time,” the DSWD chief told the regional directors.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) observed “ongoing low-level activity” in Taal Volcano, but the volcano remains on Alert Level 1, while Mayon Volcano’s alert level was raised from 1 to 2 due to “increasing unrest.”
DSWD-Field Office V Regional Director Norman Laurio said the region has already alerted the provincial quick response team (QRT) and the chiefs of the municipal action teams (MATs) composed of DSWD staff from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, Sustainable Livelihood Program, and Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services of the ongoing volcanic activities.
“We have instructed the QRTs and the MATs to have close coordination with their respective LGUs (local government units) and provide updates if necessary. This afternoon, we will coordinate with the PDRRMO (Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office) for any updates or advisory,” Laurio said.