Camalig:Bicol The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol has assured the public of its readiness to support local government units affected by the recent unrest of Mayon Volcano. This comes as the volcano's alert status has been raised to Level 3.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Bicol Director Norman Laurio stated that the department's field office, through its Disaster Response Management Division-Regional Resource Operations Section, has stockpiles and standby funds worth PHP473,166,587.96. Of this amount, PHP470,666,087.96 is earmarked for food and non-food items, while PHP2,500,500 is available as quick response funds.

The resources include 417,886 family food packs, 14,137 ready-to-eat food packs, 28,366 non-food items, and 129,613 other non-food items. Following the volcano's eruption on Friday, DSWD Bicol social workers were actively involved in evacuation efforts and ensured that safe spaces for children and women were established at evacuation centers.

At the Camalig Bungkaras Evacuation Center, at least 46 modular tents have been set up, and inspections are being carried out to confirm the facility's readiness. The agency has also provided 204 ready-to-eat food boxes and 204 six-liter containers of drinking water to families affected in Camalig, Albay.

The DSWD, through its Social Welfare and Development team and Disaster Response Management Division, assisted in evacuating residents from the villages of Anoling, Sua, and Quirangay within the six-kilometer permanent danger zone. Profiling of families evacuated from Purok 4 to 7 of Barangay Anoling, who are currently staying at Tagaytay Elementary School, was also conducted.

Laurio emphasized that the preparedness and response measures are in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure timely and adequate assistance during disasters.