DSWD to provide cash-for-work activities for Mayon evacuees

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said on Monday that it will provide cash-for-work activities for evacuees in Albay to help them earn money after Mayon Volcano’s unrest affected their livelihood. 

The DSWD said among those who will benefit from the initiative are farmers and fisherfolk through farming in evacuation sites. Meanwhile, others can earn money through setting up water and sanitation facilities for fellow evacuees. 

“Dito po kasi na-convey ng mga ibang mga local chief executives na may mga farmers, fisherfolks na affected ng pag alboroto ni Mount Mayon. Para naman po magpatuloy ‘yung kanilang pamumuhay ay magpo-provide tayo ng cash-for-work,” said DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao in “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.” 

(Some local chief executives have conveyed that there are farmers and fisherfolk affected by Mount Mayon’s unrest. To ensure they can continue their livelihood, we will provide cash-for-work [activities].) 

“Kung saan maari po silang magtanim doon sa mga vacant spaces malapit sa evacuation centers or ayusin po yung lugar doon sa evacuation center para maging fully functional yung mga water and sanitation health facilities, magkaroon ng maayos na source ng tubig ‘yung atin pong mga IDP [Internally Displaced Persons].” 

(They can plant in vacant spaces near the evacuation centers or fix the area within the evacuation center so that the water and sanitation health facilities become fully functional, ensuring our IDPs [Internally Displaced Persons] have a proper source of water.) 

Moreover, the social welfare department said Secretary Rex Gatchalian ordered an additional 100,000 family food packs to help sustain the evacuees for an extended period. 

“In 2023, nung nag alboroto itong si Mount Mayon, umabot sa almost 200,000 family food packs ‘yung dinistribute natin in six months period…minabuti natin na handa na yung resources na kakailanganin kaya we made sure that sufficient stockpiles are in place in Region 5,” said Dumlao. 

(In 2023, when Mount Mayon acted up, we distributed almost 200,000 family food packs over a six-month period… we thought it is best to have the necessary resources ready, so we made sure that sufficient stockpiles are in place in Region 5.) 

Dumlao said that there are currently around 191,000 family food packs in the stockpile for Region 5. 

Alert Level 3 is still up over the volcano and its environs due to pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) known locally as 'uson', or fragmented volcanic particles mixed with hot gases and ash. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News