Legazpi diocese calls for donations for affected residents amid Mayon unrest

The Diocese of Legazpi on Monday called for donations for residents affected by the ashfall caused by the increased volcanic activity of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

In a social media post, the Diocese of Legazpi Social Action Center (SAC Legazpi) said donations may be given in cash or in kind.

“SAC Legazpi intends to distribute hot meals, food packs, hygiene kits, and face masks to evacuees in the affected areas,” said Fr. Eric Martillano, SAC Legazpi executive director.

In-kind donations may be dropped off at the Social Action Center - Legazpi, Albay Cathedral Compound, Albay District, Legazpi City.

Cash donations may be sent to the following details:

• GCash: 0995.749.6571 (Eric M.)
• BPI: Social Action Center-SPM (Account No. 0851.0067.37)

Donors are requested to send a screenshot of cash transactions to the SAC Legazpi Facebook page for proper acknowledgement and recording.

Based on its Situational Report #1, SAC Legazpi said no evacuees have been sheltered in parishes or churches, so far.

As of May 3, there are over 4,100 individuals or over 1,100 families evacuated in Tabaco City, Malilipot, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and Ligao City.

Crops were damaged, livestock died, and the health of people living within the affected communities are in danger due to the eruption and resulting ashfall from Mayon’s unrest.

A video showed a farmer’s field covered in ash in Barangay Anoling in the town of Camalig.

In Guinobatan, some residents expressed concern for their health as they cleaned ash from their homes. Some senior citizens also experienced difficulty in breathing.

According to Albay Governor Noel Rosal, more than 6,000 houses were affected by the ashfall in Albay.

He said no one was injured due to ashfall because the province has prepared for eventualities.

Rosal further said authorities are considering expanding the Permanent Danger Zone from 6 to 7 kilometers around Mayon Volcano.

If this is done, that would entail an additional 10,000 families to be affected, he added.

Mayon Volcano is still under Alert Level 3, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Monday. — BAP, GMA News