NDRRMC: Over 28k evacuees in Albay; P27M-worth of assistance provided so far

Lava cascades down the slopes of the Mayon volcano as seen from Busay Village in Legazpi City, Albay, 340 kilometers (210 miles) southeast of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, January 16, 2018.  To date, more than 28,000 individuals have been evacuated from within the eight-kilometer danger zone, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). (AP FILE PHOTO/Dan Amaranto)

About P27 million worth of assistance has so far been extended to the more than 28,000 individuals who evacuated in Albay after the Mayon Volcano emitted thick ash columns and affected the province, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) disclosed on Tuesday.

NDRRMC Spokesperson Romina Marasigan said during a press conference that the assistance given to evacuees included food and water, as well as non-food items such as medicines, malong or blankets, and mosquito nets.

Citing latest reports it received from the ground, the NDRRMC said the latest number of evacuees already reached 28,846 persons or 7,455 families, who came from within the restricted eight-kilometer danger zone and are now being sheltered in 29 evacuation centers.

At this point, Marasigan said that it is the prerogative of the local government units whether to expand the scope of the danger zone to 9 kilometers and order for the evacuation of affected residents within that area.

“It is the call of the local government now kung gusto pa nilang i-extend (ang) danger zone na gusto nilang i-evacuate,” Marasigan noted.  /kga