More than P5 million worth of relief supplies has been  released, as of January 21, by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as resource augmentation to local government units (LGUs) affected by the eruption of the Mayon Volcano in Albay.

DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel Leyco said that DSWD-Field Office V remains on red alert and continues to assist affected LGUs in their relief operations and in managing the evacuation centers that are still open.

Based on the 12nn, January 21 report of the DSWD Regional Office in Bicol, 6,459 families or  24,381 persons are still being served in 29 evacuation centers set up by LGUs in Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga,  Ligao, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Tabaco. These are areas determined to be within the danger zones. The evacuation centers in Legazpi City have been closed since January 18, but the evacuees were advised to remain on alert for any eventuality.

Members of the DSWD- Field Office V Quick Response Team in coordination with LGU social workers conduct daily visits to various evacuation centers  to monitor the situation, and to further determine other  services needed by the evacuees.

OIC Leyco assured that DSWD social workers are ready to assist their local counterparts in addressing the food needs of the evacuees, including providing psychosocial support and setting up of more women and child-friendly spaces, if and when necessary necessary. ###