Albay gov seeks aid for affected residents in Mayon area

The local government of Albay is appealing for help from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as their supplies of food and face masks are now limited amid the recent activities of Mayon Volcano.

"Kinapos na rin kami ng mga ano... mask. 'Yung mga maskara. Kinapos na rin. Naubos na rin 'yung stock namin at itong pagsustain namin sa pagkain ay kakapusin na rin kami niyan dahil padami ng padami. Saka ito tatagal itong eruption na ito, pwedeng umabot ito ng more or less more than one month at sunod sunod ang buga," Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said in a phone interview on GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas.

"Kailangan namin ngayon ng tulong galing sa NDRRMC. Kailangan wag na silang masyadong ano... padala na lang sila ng pera dito kami na magliliquidate, kami na bahala don kung san ginamit 'yon," Bichara added.

Bichara also said there were no reports of illness among the residents. He added that crops were also destroyed in some four towns.

"Hindi naman lahat ng probinsya, mga apat na bayan... 'yung mga tanim diyan masisira 'yung tanim nila dahil 'yung ashfall, 'yung mga dahon masusunog," Bichara said.

According to NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan, the council and the Albay local government are now facilitating the evacuation of residents affected by the magma eruption of Mayon Volcano.

Latest data from NDRRMC showed that a total of 6,498 families or  24,611 people are currently in 27 evacuation centers while 734 families or 3,119 people are staying with their relatives.

Alert Level 4 has been raised over the volcano. This means hazardous explosion by the volcano may happen in a matter of hours or days.

Classes have been suspended in the whole province. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News