DSWD readies relief, evacuations as Mayon Volcano threat escalates

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said its Field Office 5 in the Bicol Region is on full alert to respond to possible emergencies after Mayon Volcano was raised to Alert Level 3.

Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the DSWD field office has been closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local government units (LGUs) in Albay that are within or near the danger zone.

“Patuloy po na mino-monitor ng ating mga Quick Response Teams at mga Social Welfare and Development Officers ang sitwasyon ng Mayon Volcano sa Albay in coordination sa ating mga national disaster agencies,” Asec. Dumlao said.

The DSWD has also deployed Disaster Risk Management Division (DRMD) staff to areas that may be affected within the six-kilometer danger zone of Mayon Volcano.

“Nag-deploy na rin tayo ng mga DRMD staff sa potentially affected populations within the 6-kilometer danger zone ng bulkan para umagapay sa ating designated evacuation centers,” Dumlao stated.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Mayon Volcano to Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, from Alert Level 2 earlier this month, citing escalating rockfall activity and edifice inflation that may signal a potential magmatic eruption.

The DSWD said it is preparing for possible ashfall, which is expected to affect the southern side of the volcano based on prevailing wind patterns in the Bicol Region.

Asec. Dumlao noted that, based on field office data, 122 families or 601 individuals in Guinobatan, Camalig, and other barangays in Albay may be affected by the volcanic activity. Evacuation of residents within the danger zone is currently ongoing.

The DRMG assistant secretary said sufficient relief stockpiles and standby funds amounting to P132.59 million are available at the DSWD Bicol Field Office to sustain relief operations for affected families.

The DSWD Bicol Field Office currently maintains 111,164 boxes of family food packs, 16,580 ready-to-eat food boxes, and 15,746 non-food items. Social protection assets, including mobile kitchens, a mobile command center, and a mobile water system, are also on standby and ready for deployment if needed.

Relief supplies and logistics have already been prepositioned in 23 warehouses across the region, alongside the continuous replenishment of food and non-food items stored in LGU facilities, the DSWD said.