NDRRMC: Sufficient aid for communities affected by Mayon's eruption

MANILA, Philippines — The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council assured the public that the government has enough funds to assist and meet the needs of the communities affected by the eruption of Mayon Volcano even up to three months.

In a press briefing Tuesday, NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said the government has already provided a total of P26.9 million worth of assistance to Albay evacuees.

“We have more than enough funds and assistance that we could provide for our evacuees,” Marasigan said, noting that the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 5 has already prepositioned assistance and supplies.

“This is a situation na kaya ng ating regional office. Meron pa naka-preposition pero agaran ang national council na nagpapadala na ng karagdagan pa at sinasabi nila kahit abutin ng three months makakapagpadala pa rin tayo ng karagdagang ayuda,” Marasigan said.

In a press briefing Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the local governments in Albay can now tap into their calamity funds following the release of the province’s internal revenue allotment.

A total of 7,445 families or 28,846 are being sheltered in 29 evacuation centers in the province.

Marasigan said that the number of evacuees in Albay may rise due to the eight-kilometer extended danger zone. She added that it is the prerogative of the local government units whether to expand to nine kilometers the scope of the danger zone.

The Department of Tourism issued a travel advisory enjoining the public to strictly observe safety precautions while visiting the province following the hoisting of Alert Level 4 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

With the heavy ashfall brought by the volcano’s eruption, residents are also urged to wear masks or use wet handkerchief.

READ: Lava fountains shoot from Mayon, 40,000 people flee