NDRRMC assures aid for Mayon-affected communities

FILE: With the continuing phreatomagmatic eruption of the Mayon Volcano, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) assured assistance for families affected by the phenomenon. (Pixabay photo)

MANILA — With the continuing phreatomagmatic eruption of the Mayon Volcano, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) assured assistance for families affected by the phenomenon.

In its latest update, a total of 14,483 families or 55,068 persons from Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Daraga, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Santo Domingo and Legazpi City, Albay are now being aided in 59 evacuation centers while 1,395 families or 6,165 indivuduals are sheltering with their relatives.

“The National Council provides assistance through the distribution of relief items such as food, non-food items, medicines and other logistics to disaster-stricken communities. While the law prohibits the downloading of National Government Agency’s Quick Response Funds to the LGUs, we assure the public of our urgent action to augment LGU (local government unit) capacity to provide needed relief assistance,” NDRRMC executive director Ricardo B. Jalad said.

To date, a total of PHP27,778,683.00 worth of assistance has been provided for the affected populace near Mayon Volcano utilizing pre-positioned resources from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health and Office of Civil Defense.

Jalad said the DSWD is currently facilitating the transport of remaining family food packs (FPPs) from the 30,000 FPPs requested, of which 8,300 were transported Tuesday.

In addition, the DSWD is preparing another 39,000 FPPs for delivery in the affected areas.

While evacuation is ongoing in some areas within the nine-kilometer radius from Mayon Volcano, the Regional DRRM Council has ensured the prepositioning of food and non-food items when augmentation of relief is necessary.

The NDRRMC chief said the NDRRM Operations Center was on “red alert” status as Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) remains hoisted for Mayon Volcano.