DSWD on alert for possible Mayon eruption

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on alert for the possible eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay province. (Photo by denvie balidoy/Flickr, CC BY 2.0)

MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is on alert for the possible eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

In a press briefing, DSWD Officer-in-charge Emmanuel Leyco said prepositioned relief goods were ready for dispatch anytime the local government units (LGUs) made a request.

“Sa ngayon ‘di pa humihingi ang mga LGUs ng karagdagang tulong pero naka-preposition na ang aming relief goods  at naka-standby na pondo para kung sakaling lumala ang kapaligiran sa Mayon Volcano ay nakahanda,” Leyco said.

Upon checking at DSWD’s regional office, he said there were around 948 families or 3,338 persons in municipalities near the active volcano housed in seven evacuation centers.

“The DSWD is now coordinating with the province of Albay to monitor the condition of the affected communities in the seven open evacuation centers and is preparing for the possible augmentation of resources and other forms of assistance to local government units,” he said.

He said the DSWD Field Office in Region V maintained PHP5.66 million standby funds and stockpile of 13,352 family food packs and non-food items consisted  of 37,342 pieces of malong, 382 rolls of laminated sacks, 7,327 dignity kits, and 54,832 blankets ready for augmentation.

He added that the DSWD Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) was continuously coordinating with the Albay provincial government for status updates and reports on assistance efforts.

“The department continues to monitor the situation of the volcano with the reports provided by Phivolcs and our Bicol regional office,” Leyco said.

He advised communities near the volcano to remain vigilant and stay alert for the possible eruption of Mayon in order to minimize  damage.