Palace: Gov’t ready to aid Bulusan victims; relief efforts underway

She added that food packs have already been distributed and a mobile kitchen has been deployed to Barangay Tughan in Juban, one of the towns affected by ashfall and evacuations. (Photo: Sorsogon Provincial Information Office – SPIO/Facebook)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The government assured the public of its readiness to respond to the unrest of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon, which erupted for the second time this week and spewed ash and steam for more than an hour on Tuesday night.

Speaking at a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued immediate directives to ensure the safety and welfare of residents affected by the volcanic activity.

Castro said Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, upon the directive of the President, immediately visited affected areas to conduct assessment and visit evacuation centers.

She added that food packs have already been distributed and a mobile kitchen has been deployed to Barangay Tughan in Juban, one of the towns affected by ashfall and evacuations.

“Nandoon din po, ready na po ang mga food packs para po sa mga naapektuhan at nagkaroon rin po sila ng mobile kitchen dito sa Barangay Tughan, Juban, Sorsogon (Food packs are already in place for those affected, and they also set up a mobile kitchen in Barangay Tughan, Juban, Sorsogon),” Castro said.

About 15,000 families have been reportedly affected by the volcanic unrest.

Mt. Bulusan first erupted early Monday, producing a steam-driven plume that rose 4,500 meters above the crater.

A second eruption followed on Tuesday evening, lasting from 7:43 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The alert level remains at Level 1, indicating low-level unrest, with the possibility of more phreatic eruptions.

Castro also said that aerial reconnaissance has been conducted to monitor the extent of the eruption’s impact.

Asked whether the government has sufficient funds for disaster response, the Palace official responded affirmatively.

“Opo. Nagbigay po ng report ang DSWD po at may mga standby funds po tayo and prepositioned relief stockpile (Yes. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has reported that we have standby funds and prepositioned relief stockpiles),” she said.