Lava, rocks, and other debris creep down the slopes of Mayon Volcano on July 2, 2023, as seen in this photo taken at Legazpi Boulevard in Legazpi City, Albay. (Contributed by DENNIS MIRABUENO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Daraga municipal government is implementing the Banwa Stress Reliever Program for evacuees feeling the pressure of Mayon Volcano’s increased activity.
The program, which includes free haircuts and manicures, aims to provide evacuees some diversion from the discomfort of living in evacuation centers, according to Daraga Mayor Carlywyn Baldo.
“They may not be 100 percent comfortable as they were in their homes, but we are finding ways to lessen their stress staying in evacuation centers,” Baldo said in Filipino on Monday during the “Laging Handa,” a televised public information program of the Presidential Communications Office.
The evacuation center of Daraga now holds 941 families, totaling 3,334 individuals, Baldo said.
“We created a program to entertain those staying in the evacuation center, our evacuees,” he said.
For children, there is storytelling and games for children, the mayor said. The adults also get to play bingo.
“This is to lessen the stress of evacuees at evacuation centers because we know what it feels like to stay there,” Baldo said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously urged the government to give out noncash aid on top of physical needs such as food and shelter.