The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said some PHP328 million worth of cash, food, and non-food assistance has been given to families affected by the prolonged unrest of Mayon Volcano during their seven-month stay in evacuation centers.
In a report, the DSWD said it distributed PHP314 million in assistance, alongside the PHP14 million from local government units (LGUs) and other partner agencies.
Of the amount, PHP135 million was used for food and non-food items, while PHP179 million was provided through early recovery programs, such as the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, cash-for-work assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and cash-for-work for affected farmers.
Apart from the financial assistance, DSWD distributed 166,000 family food packs and 1,400 ready-to-eat food boxes to affected families throughout the emergency response.
The agency also conducted 1,053 psychosocial support interventions, including child-friendly spaces, women-friendly spaces, and psychological first aid to help displaced residents cope with the emotional effects of the disaster.
To augment shelter and other emergency services, DSWD provided 368 family tents and served 3,670 individuals through its social protection vehicles, which delivered frontline social welfare services in evacuation centers and affected communities.
Meanwhile, following the lowering of Mayon Volcano’s alert level on Wednesday, IDPs, who stayed for months at evacuation centers in Albay, have started returning to their homes.
Barangay Anoling captain Mia Alemania said in an interview on Thursday that all 123 evacuated families, composed of 325 individuals, were able to safely return to their community.
“We are very happy that the alert level has been lowered, but I continue to remind our residents to remain aware. Even if the alert level has been downgraded, they should still stay alert and wait for official announcements from us,” Alemania said.
She said the barangay immediately conducted cleaning operations and coordinated with the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) after the advisory lowering the alert level was issued to ensure an orderly decampment.
She said each returning family received four family food packs, 20 kilograms of rice, and an additional sack of rice, while the municipal government is also working on providing cash assistance to help families restart their livelihood.
For Vilma Mostera, 52, returning home marks the beginning of rebuilding their lives after months in evacuation.
“We are happy that we can finally return home. There’s still nothing like being in your own home. Now that Mayon has calmed down, we can start farming again,” she said.
Another evacuee, Racelle Mabini, thanked the government for the continuous food assistance they receive.
“We are very grateful to the mayor, our barangay captain, and especially the DSWD. They provided us with more than enough rice and food, so we have enough supply as we return home,” she said. (PNA)
