Marcos: Funds, food packs on standby for affected residents of Mayon's unrest

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday said that funds and food packs are already on standby for those who will be affected by Mayon's volcanic activity, which is currently under Alert Level 3.

"Patuloy ang paglilikas sa mga pamilyang nakapaloob sa 6km permanent danger zone at pagdadala sa kanila sa mga evacuation centers," said Marcos in a Facebook post. 

"Nakaantabay na rin ang DSWD para sa mga sumusunod na tulong: P114M Quick Response Fund available at DSWD Central Office; P5M Funds available at DSWD Field Office Region V; 179k Family Food Packs available in Disaster Response Centers," added Marcos.

The President, meanwhile, reminded affected residents to follow the instructions of disaster officials. 

"Sa pagsasailalim sa probinsya ng Albay sa state of calamity dahil sa pag-aalburoto ng Bulkang Mayon, pinapaalalahanan ang ating mga kababayang Bikolano na sumunod lamang sa mga rekomendasyon at evacuation instructions ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa," Marcos said.

Earlier, Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Eduardo Punay also said that food packs and other supplies were already distributed to the local government units. 

"Nakapuwestoi na ang ating mga items sa LGUs, sa city hall po andun na ang ating relief items in case nga pô na pumutyok ang bukan, nakahanda na po ang ating mga food packs," said Punay in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Punay added that DSWD may also provide financial aid to those who might be affected. 

"In relation to disasters, may ipamimigay tayong assistance. Pero ito ay post-disaster na. For recovery na... Ito ay tinatawag na emergency case transfer kung saan bibigyan natin ng up to 25,000 pesos [per family] yung mga nasalanta," Puunay said. 

Punay, however, clarified that beneficiaries for the cash assistance will still have to be evaluated. 

"May very close coordination tayo sa mga LGU at mga locak na opisyal tulad ng mga barangay [dahil] sila ang nag-a-identify ng beneficiaries," Punay explained. 

Authorities already started the evacuation of 2,400 families or 10,000 individuals living within the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone (PDZ) of Mayon Volcano on Friday.

On Saturday, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) released new photos of Mayon volcano's summit, where a new lava dome can be seen emerging.

PHIVOLCS also reported one volcanic earthquake and 59 rockfall events in the past 24 hours.

PHIVOLCS said the volcano may cause rockfalls or landslides or avalanches, ballistic fragments, lava flows and lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, and moderate-sized explosions. 

The Defense Department is also making preparations for a possible emergency situation as Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. told Marcos about "a possibility of a hazardous eruption.”

“Air transport to Albay is suspended so the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) has prepared alternative transport means. JTF (Joint Task Force) Bicolandia activated by Solcom (Southern Luzon Command) and other DRRUs (disaster risk reduction units) activated in the area,” Teodoro said.

The Defense chief added evacuations continue in 20 villages that are within the 6km permanent danger zone.

“Our latest reports have it that 2,894 families (10,260) persons were brought to 16 evacuation centers,” Teodoro said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News