The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday, April 30, hat it was working closely with various government agencies to assist more than 92,000 individuals affected by the phreatic eruption of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.

OCD Administrator Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno directed the distribution of relief supplies, 1,500 hygiene kits, and 10,000 N95 masks to the affected individuals which were delivered and turned over to the provincial government on Tuesday night.

“OCD has been actively helping our kababayan in Sorsogon. We’re doing everything we can to ensure that those affected are cared for with urgency and compassion,” he said.

According to a situational report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), approximately 93,258 people across eight municipalities have been affected by the eruption, with ongoing evacuations and relief efforts.

Currently, 59 families were staying in evacuation centers — 25 in Irosin Evacuation Center and 34 in Gallanosa National High School.

Ashfall has affected 19 barangays across Juban, Irosin, and Bulan towns while 66 volcanic earthquakes recorded in the past 24 hours.

The phreatic eruption occurred from the summit crater of Bulusan at 04:36 a.m. on April 28, and lasted for 24 minutes based on seismic and infrasound records.

The incident produced a bent plume that rose 4,500 meters above the crater before drifting west to southwest.

A pyroclastic density current (PDC) or “uson” descended the southwestern slopes and travelled within three kilometers from the summit vent.

Alert Level 1 status was raised over Bulusan Volcano, which means that the volcano is currently in a state of low-level unrest with chances of phreatic eruptions.

Nepomuceno said the OCD has extended support to local government units in clearing ash from affected areas to facilitate recovery and safety.