Legazpi City, Albay
June 14, 2023
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. held a situation briefing on Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, Albay.
The Department of National Defense (DND) – Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that 9,571 families in over 26 barangays have already been affected by the continuous spewing of lava and toxic gas by Mount Mayon. Of this number, 4,417 families have been displaced and taking shelter in 22 evacuation centers across Albay.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that the volcanic activity may occur from several weeks to months. To this end, the OCD recommended on ways forward the preparation of long-term response actions, further plans for logistics requirements, local government units’ (LGUs) undertaking of permanent relocation for residents within the 6-kilometer radius of danger zones and establishment of additional evacuation centers to avoid suspension of classes by schools being utilized as temporary shelters.
On the humanitarian support, aside from food packs and other non-food items, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) discussed that the distribution of financial assistance to the Albay LGU is already in the process. The Chief Executive commended the measure, stating that evacuees have different needs and monetary aid is vital in ensuring that these needs are being addressed.
Moreover, he directed all national government agencies (NGAs) concerned to take the load off the Province and act immediately within the 45-90 days timeframe to work on the other needs of affected communities and ensure that the appropriate response will be provided, so as not to exhaust the quick response funds of the Province. At the same time, he also asked the LGUs to help the national government in identifying the priorities as they would know the situation on the ground better.
He also noted for the need of other support mechanisms such as livelihood and other activities, especially to the children who were forced out of school because of the volcanic occurrence.
In response, the Provincial Government of Albay conveyed the additional recovery and rehabilitation requirements of the Province, to which President Marcos Jr. pointed out that the data provided would serve as a good guide for the national government to work on. Nevertheless, the affected localities expressed gratitude for all the response and assistance they have received to date.
Other agencies that gave their respective reports and actions undertaken in response to the volcanic activity were the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Education (DepEd).
During the event, the President and DOLE representatives turned over the Department’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) assistance through a check amounting to PhP49 million to the local chief executives of the affected municipalities.
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