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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Gov't steps up Mayon ashfall response

Gov't steps up Mayon ashfall response

Published May 3, 2026 04:13 pm
OCD officials conduct an inspection in Bicol Sunday hours after the eruption of Mayon Volcano Saturday. (Civil Defense Bicol FB)
OCD officials conduct an inspection in Bicol Sunday hours after the eruption of Mayon Volcano Saturday. (Civil Defense Bicol FB)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol has stepped up response efforts to mitigate the impact of ashfall from Mayon Volcano, focusing on road safety, clearing operations, and the swift delivery of aid to affected communities.
OCD Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro convened key agencies, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Guinobatan, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police-Bicol (PNP-5), and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
OCD-Bicol officer-in-charge Director Jessar Adornado gave situation updates and the immediate response conducted by the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Adornado said all national roads are cleared. The DPWH will conduct declogging to ensure the flow of the cleared ashfall during flushing.
“As per the records from the LGUs (local government units) of Camalig and Guinobatan, the thickness of ashfall was recorded at two to three inches,” he said.
The BFP-Bicol led the flushing of national roads while DPWH is responsible for debris collection.
The PNP is tasked with ensuring road safety for both responders and motorists traversing affected areas.
Beyond road operations, the OCD is addressing urgent needs on the ground, including N95 masks and bottled water for communities where water sources may have been contaminated by ashfall.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reinforced relief efforts by distributing 393 ready-to-eat food boxes Sunday morning to residents who evacuated from Barangay Anoling in Camalig, Albay.
Based on the latest DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center report, a total of 87 barangays in Albay were affected.
A total of 1,438 families or 5,440 individuals are currently staying in 14 evacuation centers, while 26 families or 85 persons are taking temporary shelters somewhere else.
Humanitarian assistance worth P82.27 million has been provided by the DSWD, LGUs, and partner organizations.
Available relief resources, including standby funds and stockpiles, have reached P245.83 million, ensuring sustained support for ongoing response operations.
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public to take necessary precautions amid the ashfall.
Residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid unnecessary travel. Those who need to go outside are urged to wear N95 or surgical masks to protect against fine ash particles.
Households are encouraged to close windows and doors, use damp curtains, and regularly clear ash from roofs to prevent structural damage.
The DOH underscored the importance of frequent handwashing, covering food and water sources, and ensuring that food is properly cleaned and safe for consumption.
Individuals experiencing difficulty breathing, eye irritation, or other health concerns must seek medical attention.

Related Tags

Mayon Ashfall OCD Bicol
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