The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the local government of Legazpi City, Albay continues to monitor the situation of evacuees who have returned home after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) announced yesterday that the Mayon Volcano does not pose danger beyond the 7-kilometer permanent danger zone.

The evacuees, who numbered to 2,909 families or 12,044 individuals, were allowed to return home as of 3 pm yesterday. They were, however, advised to stay alert.

Five evacuation centers in Legazpi City in Brgys. Mabinit, Padang, Matanag, Buyuan, and Bonga have now been closed. The barangays are in the 8-9-kilometer zone from Mayon Volcano.

Meanwhile, the Department continues to assist families and individuals who are still taking temporary shelter in open evacuation centers in the affected cities and municipalities.

Based on the latest report from the DSWD-Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB), there are still 6,022 families or 23,239 individuals staying in 27 evacuation centers (ECs) in the affected municipalities of Camalig, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo; and in the cities of Ligao and Tabaco.

Moreover, 725 families or 3,074 persons are outside ECs and are still staying in their relatives’ and friends’ houses. These families also continue to receive relief supplies.

DSWD Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco continues to call on Albay residents, especially those who have returned home, to remain vigilant.

“We strongly advise residents to continue monitoring the situation and to listen to the announcements of local authorities when it comes to sudden changes concerning Mayon’s seismic movements. It is always best to be prepared and ready for any outcome,” he said. ###