The number of affected individuals due to the increased volcanic activities at Mayon Volcano has already reached more than 38,000 individuals, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) showed Friday, June 16.

A situation report from the NDRRMC said that a total of 9,947 families or 38,391 individuals from Bacacay, Camalig, Ligao, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Tabaco in Albay have already been adversely affected by Mayon’s continuing activities.

Out of those affected, a total of 5,125 families or 18,584 individuals were temporarily staying in 27 evacuation centers. There were 471 families or 1,683 individuals who opted to stay with their relatives or friends’ homes but are still being assisted by the government.

“Lahat po ng kinakailangan ng ating mga kababayan na nasa loob ng evacuation centers ay tinutugunan naman po natin dahil nandyan ang LGUs [local government units] ng Albay at member agencies ng NDRRMC (All of the needs of our evacuees are being addressed because all the LGUs in Albay and the member-agencies of the NDRRMC are hands on),” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) deputy spokesperson Diego Agustin Mariano said in a public briefing.

On Thursday, June 15, the OCD extended additional assistance to the Albay LGU by providing them with 3,200 sacks of rice and other relief items.

In total, the OCD has already extended P13.6 million worth of relief aid to the affected residents including tarpaulin rolls, N95 face masks, family food packs, hygiene kits, pelican cases, portable water filtration unit, and a water filtration truck.

This is aside from the assistance provided by other national government agencies (NGAs), private organizations, non-government organizations and other concerned groups and individuals.

The total cost of assistance given to those affected in Albay amounted to P57,639,283.85.

“Patuloy ang pag-identify ng iba pang kailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Nandoon naman po ang regional office ng OCD para i-assess ang mga kailangan ng ating mga kababayan at ito ay ma-address accordingly (We are continuously identifying all the other needs of our countrymen. The regional office of OCD is there to assess and address their needs accordingly),” Mariano said.

The OCD previously announced that it was preparing for a long-term response action for Mayon’s unrest which could last for three months.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by MARTIN SADONGDONG

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