Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 13) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) plans to distribute cash assistance to families affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday said it will help families buy other essential needs that are not included in the family food packs. He added that the initiative is part of DSWD’s effort to practice the “anticipatory action” approach in disaster response.
“Alam mong sasabog ang bulkan, so we can already empower the people through cash assistance,” he said in a statement. “Kasi the boxes are typical. They are not tailored fit to meet every family’s individual requirement.”
[Translation: You know the volcano will erupt, so we can already empower the people through cash assistance. Because the boxes are typical. They are not tailored fit to meet every family’s individual requirement.]
The DSWD did not say how much cash will be provided but said the funds will be sourced from Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
The United Arab Emirates government on Monday donated 55 tons of food items and medicine for Mayon-affected residents in Albay.
READ: UAE gives 55 tons of food, medicine for families affected by restive Mayon
According to the latest update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday, a total of 13,811 individuals had been affected in the province of Albay. Of this number, the NDRRMC said 13,179 persons were served inside the 21 evacuation centers (ECs) and 632 persons were served outside ECs.
https://monitoring-dashboard.ndrrmc.gov.ph/page/reports/situational-report-for-the-mayon-volcanic-activity-2023
READ: Thousands more residents to be evacuated if Mayon danger zone is extended, mayors say
A total of ₱25 million worth of assistance from the government, private organizations, and non-governmental organizations has been provided to those who needed help, it added.
The alert status of Mayon was raised in Alert Level 3 last June 8. Meaning, the volcano is currently in a relatively high level of unrest as magma is at the crater and hazardous eruption is possible within weeks or even days.
