By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday reported that massive ashfall from Mayon Volcano over the weekend has affected at least 30,522 families across 87 barangays (villages) in the region.
In a message to reporters, OCD deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said the number is equivalent to 102,406 persons, citing data coming from OCD Region 5 (Bicol)
“Of these, 1,438 families (333 families were evacuated last May 2) or 5,440 persons are currently inside evacuation centers, while 26 families or 85 persons are being assisted outside evacuation centers,” he added.
Mariano said all forms of assistance, services, and needs of the evacuees are being continuously provided by the local government units, together with national government agencies.
“We will update the data as soon as additional official reports arrive,” he added.
Mariano added that the OCD, as the implementing arm of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, is ensuring the whole-of-government response to the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano, in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to immediately assist calamity-hit families.
Mayon remains under Alert Level 3.
Likewise, Mariano said OCD Region 5 is “continuously (conducting) the coordination, monitoring, and response operations on the affected areas to ensure the safety and welfare of affected communities.”
This includes deployment of water trucks, rollout of water filtration systems, provision of essential items such as N-95 masks and malongs (wraparound skirt), and clearing operations to keep roads passable, which are continuously conducted, he added.
“We assure the public that the situation is being closely monitored, preparedness measures remain should conditions change. We urge the public to follow the authorities, especially the strict enforcement of the six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, and to remain vigilant at all times,” Mariano stressed. (PNA)
