Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought a 90-day plan on how to handle Mayon Volcano’s eruption as he led a briefing in Albay on Wednesday and heard from officials how the government has responded so far to the situation.
In his presentation, Albay Gov. Grex Lagman said that for 90 days, ₱196,711,000 would be needed to provide for those affected by Mayon’s unrest — covering food, water and sanitation, health emergency services, and temporary learning spaces, among others.
So far, ₱30 million from the province’s quick response fund has been allocated for the Mayon Volcano operation, the governor added.
Marcos said that according to an estimate, ₱30 million can only sustain 14 days of response.
“I think our working number should be 90 days,” Marcos said.
“The province is already providing ₱30 million, we will have to make up the difference for the continuous…in terms, I suppose food, non-food items and all the other arrangements that we’re going to have to make,” the president added.
Marcos told officials from different government agencies who attended the briefing to see how much would be needed for the response.
“Let’s go into that in terms of the requirements that the evacuees are going to need… We have to get it absolutely right para measured ang response natin [so we would have a measured response],” he said.
Marcos also said authorities should not wait until the 14 days are over before providing the necessary funds.
“We should use as a minimum number, 45 days. Yung [The] 45 days to 90 days come from both the science of DOST (Department of Science and Technology) and the experience of locals.”
Marcos also said groups could be tapped to look for ways to provide activities or even classes for children who are in the evacuation centers to keep them preoccupied.
“We have to think hard about what do we do about the schooling of children,” he said.
“There is a mental health aspect to that, hindi natin dapat kalimutan [we should not forget],” the president added.
