Albay farmers hit by Mayon ashfall to receive P10k aid

More than 6,000 farmers affected by ashfall from the restive Mayon Volcano will receive emergency cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the provincial government said.

Citing information from DSWD Regional Director Norman Laurio, the provincial government said on Wednesday that each beneficiary would receive P10,263. A total of 6,411 beneficiaries have been identified.

The distribution of cash aid is expected to begin as early as Monday next week.

"The assistance aims to help farmers recover from crop losses caused by ashfall that disrupted agricultural productivity in several areas," the statement said.

Damage to agriculture had reached P6.6 million as of May 5, the Albay Provincial Agricultural Office said.

Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, which means there is an intensified unrest or magmatic unrest.

PHIVOLCS also reminded the public that entry into the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone remains strictly prohibited due to persistent hazards.

The agency also warned against flying aircraft close to the volcano.

Among the possible dangers are rockfalls, landslides, ballistic fragments, lava flows, lava fountaining, pyroclastic density currents, and moderate-sized explosions.

Lahars may also occur during periods of heavy and prolonged rainfall.

PHIVOLCS warned that lahar may affect the towns of Bacacay, Camalig, Ligao, Tabaco, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi, Malilipot, Malinao, and Santo Domingo.

Authorities called for preparations as tropical cyclone Hagupit is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend, Bea Pinlac said in a report on "24 Oras" on Thursday. — VBL, GMA News