Photo courtesy of DSWD-5
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than PHP28 million in assistance to families displaced by Mayon Volcano’s unrest, the agency reported Friday.
Claudio Villareal, chief of DSWD 5 (Bicol) Disaster Response Management Division, said the aid supports 3,980 families, or 18,338 individuals, staying in evacuation centers or with relatives.
“DSWD-Bicol has 178,907 family food packs ready for distribution. We continue to provide food packs to our evacuees. Aside from the food packs, we also have 12,992 non-food items stored in different warehouses,” Villareal said.
He said a PHP3 million standby fund, psychological first aid, child-friendly spaces, and a cash-for-work program are also in place. Mobile kitchens and a water treatment facility are serving the centers.
In a separate recovery program, the DSWD has disbursed PHP26.7 million in emergency cash transfers to 5,064 Albay residents affected by 2025’s Super Typhoon Uwan.
Beneficiary Ma. Victoria Benedicto of Guinobatan said the PHP10,263 she received would help repair her typhoon-damaged roof. (PNA)