Bicol: The government continued to provide assistance to everyone affected by Mayon Volcano's unrest in Bicol, including households, farmers, drivers, and even animals.
According to Philippines News Agency, in an interview with PTV Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) Director Norman Laurio said nearly 70,000 affected families have already received food and non-food assistance, including emergency cash transfers, distributed earlier by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian. He added that the agency has extended about PHP147 million worth of assistance to affected residents.
Laurio also mentioned that the DSWD is set to begin distributing aid for affected farmers next week, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 'We will begin this from Monday to Wednesday. The DSWD has prepared PHP65 million for this,' he said, noting that the amount was downloaded from the DSWD central office to the regional office on Thursday. Laurio assured the public that sufficient relief supplies remain available in regional warehouses across Bicol, with over 300,000 family food packs in stockpile, along with hygiene kits and other emergency supplies.
Meanwhile, the Albay Veterinary Office (AVO) is intensifying the distribution of feeds and veterinary medicines for livestock and poultry affected by Mayon's ashfall and pyroclastic density current (PDC) incidents. Albay Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Pancho Mella, reported nearly PHP391,000 worth of animal losses and emphasized the urgent need for commercial feeds and medicines in affected villages. The AVO is also preparing to conduct veterinary medical missions once conditions stabilize to assess the health of surviving livestock and pets.
In terms of livestock losses, the AVO reported that 76 animals were dead, and two others remained missing following the PDC event on May 2. In Barangay Anoling, Camalig, the recorded animal deaths included five carabaos, two cattle, five dogs, and ten chickens. One carabao and one cow were also reported missing. In Barangay Mi-isi, Daraga, reported animal deaths included two carabaos, one cow, 50 chickens, and one dog, with estimated total losses reaching PHP391,000. Mella clarified that the animals that died were not among those transferred to government-designated animal pooling stations.
Laurio also mentioned the payout for public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers, targeting more than 4,000 beneficiaries across Albay and other provinces in the Bicol Region. The DSWD is conducting the payout in coordination with local government units and other agencies, ensuring orderly operations to avoid overcrowding and long queues. Payout activities for transport and delivery drivers are scheduled for May 30. Laurio reassured the public that the agency has sufficient food supplies, non-food items, and cash assistance ready for distribution.
