The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has readied more than PHP138.4 million worth of response aid following the raising of Mayon Volcano’s alert level from 1 to 2.
Claudio Villareal, chief of the Disaster Response Management Division, said in an interview on Friday that DSWD-5’s priority is ensuring the safety and food security of families that may be affected by increased volcanic activity.
He said a total of PHP138,427,670.93 worth of relief supplies and standby funds have been prepared for possible deployment.
The prepositioned resources include a PHP3-million standby fund, 11,164 family food packs, 15,696 non-food items, 16,580 ready-to-eat food boxes, and 49,054 other food items.
Guided by directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Villareal said disaster monitoring has been intensified and resources immediately mobilized. The public was also asked to remain vigilant and avoid the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone.
“We have plans to meet with partner local government units by next week in preparation for the response. Ongoing assessments are being conducted and we are already drafting the request for augmentation to the central office,” Villareal said.
Based on the latest bulletin from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Mayon recorded 43 rockfall events and two volcanic earthquakes, along with faint crater glow and ground deformation indicating inflation of the volcano’s edifice.
