The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now on alert for the impending eruption of the Mayon Volcano.

Following the evacuation of 948 families or 3,338 persons in municipalities near the active volcano, the DSWD is now coordinating with the province of Albay to monitor the condition of the affected communities in the seven (7) open evacuation centers and is preparing for the possible augmentation of resources and other forms of assistance to local government units (LGUs).

Currently, the DSWD Field Office (FO) V maintains P5,662,702.15 standby funds and stockpile of 13,352 family food packs and on-food items consists of 37,342 pieces of malong, 382 rolls of laminated sacks, 7,327 dignity kits, and 54,832 blankets ready for augmentation.

Moreover, the DSWD Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) is continuously coordinating with the provincial government of Albay for on the ground status updates and other significant reports on the status of displacement and assistance efforts.

“The Department continues to monitor the situation of the volcano with the reports provided by PHIVOLCS and our Bicol regional office,” said DSWD Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Emmanuel A. Leyco.

“Meanwhile, we assure everyone that the Department has enough resources prepositioned for those who will be affected. We are also advising all the communities near the volcano to remain vigilant, listen to the instructions of authorities, and stay alert for the possible eruption of the Mayon so we can minimize the damage that the activity may cause,” he said. ###