The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Bicol Region has stepped up relief operations for families affected by the recent eruption of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon, aligning efforts with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government disaster response directive.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and OCD Executive Director Ariel Nepomuceno are closely monitoring the situation, ensuring full government support for affected communities. “In support of the provincial government’s request, OCD Bicol has prepared a stockpile of 880 boxes of face masks, totaling 44,000 pieces, along with 2,000 hygiene kits, ready for distribution to evacuees,” the agency said in a statement.
The Sorsogon provincial government has requested 1,500 hygiene kits and 10,000 face masks to help prevent disease outbreaks in evacuation centers. OCD Bicol Director Claudio Yucot assured that the region has the capacity to meet these demands.
To assess ashfall damage, the OCD coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines for aerial reconnaissance. Yucot also visited affected municipalities, engaged with local officials, and inspected the Juban evacuation center to ensure adequate support for evacuees.
According to the latest OCD report, about 14,830 families or 74,209 individuals were affected, with 19 families temporarily housed in two evacuation centers. Relief operations are ongoing, with prepositioned supplies including N95 masks and hygiene kits valued at over PHP4.7 million.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development also deployed 2,000 family food packs worth PHP1.78 million, while the Bureau of Fire Protection continues road clearing operations. The Department of Health has issued a code white alert to ensure medical readiness in affected areas.
