Albay, Bicol map | PHOTO: DSWD REGION V facebook page
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed 153,000 food packs to Mayon volcano victims under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s 90-day aid plan.
Each bundle contains rice, cans, coffee, oatmeal, and hygiene products.
As Marcos directed, the DSWD will assist Albay’s evacuees for 90 days.
“Let us be prepared to take as much of the load as soon as possible off of the local government units para naman mayroon silang— malay natin magkabagyo pa, may mangyari pa, para mayroon silang reserba pa. Hindi natin uubusin ‘yung kanilang quick response fund,” said Marcos in a Wednesday night situation briefing.
(Let us be ready to take as much pressure off local government units as quickly as possible so they have a reserve for the next storm, which will happen. We will not use their quick reaction fund.)
Led by Marcos, the briefing was attended by Albay local officials led by Gov. Edcel Greco Lagman, and the following cabinet members: Gatchalian, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo.
Marcos directed the DILG and DND to work with all relief agencies as the DSWD’s AICS program gives relief materials and P5,000 cash to 57 families from Brgy. Baligang, Ligao City.
Affected families from three Brgys. Maninila, Tandarura, and Muladbucad Grande in Guinobatan will also receive P5,000 each in cash aid beginning June 15 under the AICS program, the DSWD reported.
According to the Office of Civil Defense, a total of 15,676 individuals across 4,400 families have been displaced by Mayon’s restiveness. These vulnerable families are mostly from seven municipalities and cities in Albay: Camalig, Ligao City, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, and Tabaco City.