National gov’t adds P112M to Mayon evacuees’ funds

A photo of Mayon Volcano captured at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, shows lava cascading from its crater, as viewed from Barangay Rawis, Legazpi City. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has raised alert level three over the volcano, after observing a “noticeable escalation of unrest recorded by the Mayon Volcano monitoring network.” INQUIRER PHOTO/MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the national government has given the provincial government P112 million to augment its funds for the basic needs of residents affected by a restive Mayon Volcano.

He said, in a phone interview Saturday, he received the amount at 2 p.m. Friday.

“This is a very big help for us, since our quick response fund is almost running out already,” he said.

Salceda said the Department of Social Welfare and Development gave P87 million for the purchase of food especially, rice and canned goods, while an additional of P22 million was given by the Department of Education for chairs and other needs of thousands of displaced students attending their classes in tents.

He added the Department of Health gave P3 million for the evacuees, especially for the purchase of medicines and other supplies.

Based on latest data from the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 54,677 people within the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone around Mayon have been evacuated since the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level of Mayon to 3 on September 15.

More than 17,000 families from 26 villages would also be evacuated in Sto. Domingo, Daraga and Camalig towns, and in Legazpi City should Phivolcs raise the alert level to 4.

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