Mayon relief operations cost gov’t P246M

Children wait for their turn to fetch water at a school compound in Albay where their families are staying amid Mayon volcano’s unrest. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

LEGAZPI CITY—Government disaster response agencies and local governments had spent some P246 million to assist more than 18,000 families in Albay province since Mayon volcano showed signs of increased restiveness on Jan. 13, an official of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol said on Thursday.

Claudio Yucot, OCD regional director, said financial assistance by national government agencies, including the P75-million cash assistance from President Duterte, was distributed to the local governments in nine towns and three cities whose residents were displaced by Mayon’s eruptions.

Food, medical supplies

Yucot, in his report, said the assistance extended was used in buying rice and family food packs, medicine and medical supplies and hygiene kits distributed in evacuation centers in Albay.

Quick response funds were also given to agencies tasked to build temporary learning spaces, toilets and bathrooms, latrines and provide water supply. These were also used for livelihood and cash-for-work programs for evacuees.

Officials of the Albay provincial government and the nine local governments said they spent P49 million for relief and disaster response operations.

Aid from Korea

On Thursday, Sen. Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chair, said the Korean Embassy, through Ambassador Han Dong-man, handed P10 million ($200,000) to support the PRC’s relief, recovery and rehabilitation operations in Albay.

“Korea will always appreciate the support that the Philippines had given during the Korean War. As a friend to Filipinos, therefore, Korea is committed to providing the necessary assistance in this time of need,” Han said. —REPORTS FROM MAR S. ARGUELLES, REY ANTHONY OSTRIA AND JODEE AGONCILLO