DONATED. Farmers from Legazpi City and Camalig, Albay receive rice, food packs, and face masks from private companies in separate distributions on May 20-21, 2026. Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3, with lava flows reaching up to 3.8 km. in Basud Gully. (Contributed photos)
LEGAZPI CITY – About 1,000 farmers affected by ashfall and volcanic unrest from Mayon Volcano received rice assistance from the Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and the city government during a distribution activity in Barangay Mabinit on Thursday.
The beneficiaries, mostly vegetable and coconut farmers from the villages of Mabinit, Bogña, Matanag, Buyoan, and Padang, each received 5 kg. of rice as part of ongoing relief efforts.
Data from the City Agriculture Office showed 270 beneficiaries came from Mabinit, 295 from Bogña, 130 from Matanag, 215 from Buyoan, and 90 from Padang.
City Agriculturist Sheila Nas said many farmers in affected areas have been unable to plant since the volcanic unrest began, and existing crops have been damaged by ashfall.
“They can no longer plant in areas near Mayon, and their existing crops have also been affected by ashfall,” Nas said. “This 5-kg. bag of rice may seem small, but it is already a big help for their families.”
She said the city government continues to assist and is preparing rehabilitation programs for affected farmers once volcanic activity stabilizes.
“Once the eruption subsides, we will distribute planting materials, fertilizers, and provide technical assistance so farmers can start rebuilding their livelihood,” she said.
She also cited other assistance programs being extended to farmers, including the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk program, where rice farmers may receive PHP2,395 in cash aid.
Miki Dipasupil, JTI area commercial sales manager, said the company initiated the donation drive to support communities affected by the volcanic activity.
“Our main goal is to help fellow Filipinos affected by the eruption of Mayon and to give back the blessings our company receives by extending support to communities,” Dipasupil said.
In a separate distribution, 201 families (718 individuals) temporarily staying at evacuation centers in Camalig received food packs and bottled water from the Energy Development Corp. and First Gen Corp. Renewables Geothermal on Wednesday. The beneficiaries were housed at the Tagaytay Evacuation Center and the Camalig Bungkaras Evacuation Center.
Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. thanked the companies for their continued coordination and support.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned Thursday of possible steam-driven or phreatic eruptions at Bulusan Volcano following a significant increase in volcanic earthquakes over the past days.
In an advisory, Phivolcs said the Bulusan Volcano Network recorded 442 volcano-tectonic earthquakes associated with rock fracturing since May 18. Of these, 55 volcanic earthquakes were located less than 5 km. beneath the volcano’s edifice, indicating slow pressurization that could lead to steam-driven eruptions.
Ground deformation data from continuous GPS monitoring also indicated inflation of Bulusan’s northern and upper western slopes since June 2025 and January 2026. Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) remains in effect. (PNA)