Sorsogon: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to monitor the situation of the Mt. Bulusan evacuees who have returned to their homes to ensure they can start to lead normal lives after the eruption, an agency official said on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that the five evacuation centers have been shut down, based on the agency's 6 a.m. report. 'The DSWD's Field Office personnel in Bicol Region were among the camp coordinators who helped with the decampment of evacuees. Our agency's response, however, does not stop here. Monitoring efforts will continue, especially as Mt. Bulusan remains on Alert Level 1,' Dumlao said.

Since the April 28 eruption of Mt. Bulusan, the DSWD has extended at least PHP22 million in humanitarian aid to the affected families, particularly in the province of Sorsogon. The relief aid included family food packs (FFPs), hot meals, potable water, other non-food essentials, such as kitchen and hygiene kits, and water filtration units.

Dumlao mentioned that the DSWD is ready to release more relief supplies as the need arises, with the DSWD 5 (Bicol Region) maintaining more than PHP3 million in stand-by funds, and FFPs and non-food items amounting to more than PHP205 million. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier indicated that the agency may provide financial assistance to help address the survival needs of affected families, such as the purchase of medicines and other health care needs not included in the food pack box.

If necessary, the DSWD may also assist the affected population in repairing their damaged houses or jumpstarting their livelihood. 'The DSWD's Bicol regional office will remain in coordination with the provincial government of Sorsogon to monitor the Mt. Bulusan situation and ensure swift provision of needed help,' Dumlao said.