Albay: Agricultural losses in Albay have reached PHP43.1 million as of May 8, with damage reported across rice, corn, and high-value crops following ashfall from Mayon Volcano, according to the Albay Provincial Agriculture Office on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, officials said high-value crops accounted for the largest share of losses, underscoring the impact on local farming livelihoods. In response to the ongoing volcanic unrest, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) distributed about 23,000 protective goggles on May 12 to help ensure public safety. Each Mayon-affected local government unit received 2,000 units, while an additional 5,000 were turned over to the provincial government through the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office.
The recipient LGUs include Guinobatan, Camalig, Ligao City, Daraga, Malilipot, Bacacay, Tabaco City, Legazpi City, and Sto. Domingo. In a Thursday interview, OCD-5 Director Jessar Adornado said that the protective gear is intended for both residents and emergency responders exposed to volcanic ash and debris, noting that the continued assistance aligns with the agency's mandate and with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure public safety in affected communities. He also emphasized that current monitoring data do not indicate an imminent escalation to Alert Level 4.
Meanwhile, at least 2,609 farmers from Camalig, Guinobatan, and Ligao City received PHP10,230 each under the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol's Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program to help them recover from disrupted livelihoods. Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during a press briefing following his visit to the payout sites in Camalig and Guinobatan towns on Thursday that the assistance was part of the government's efforts to fast-track aid delivery to affected communities.
The ECT program provides unconditional cash assistance to disaster-affected families to support their immediate needs and early recovery, including the replanting of damaged crops and restoration of farming activities.
