Manila: Barangay Captain Mia Napiri Alemania of Albay expressed her appreciation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the government's ongoing disaster response efforts, highlighting that residents displaced by the prolonged unrest of Mayon Volcano have been receiving government assistance for over seven months.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alemania commended the government's coordinated efforts, stating that national and local agencies have consistently provided food assistance and essential services to her constituents residing in evacuation centers. "We can feel the sincere care of the government," Alemania remarked in an interview.
Under President Marcos' food security program, Alemania noted that family food packs are delivered every three days to the 123 families sheltered at the evacuation center since the declaration of Alert Level 3 on January 1. Additionally, evacuees benefit from continuous security, medical services, and disaster response operations.
Alemania emphasized the presence of police personnel deployed around the clock for security, while the Department of Health maintains a medical team onsite for health concerns. Disaster Risk Reduction personnel are also on standby, and barangay officials, including herself, have been supporting the evacuees tirelessly for the past seven to eight months.
The government has been responsive to the needs of displaced families, Alemania said, with requests for additional assistance promptly communicated to local government units whenever necessary. "Whatever the evacuees need, we immediately communicate it to the LGUs whenever there are shortages," she added.
Despite consistent assistance, Alemania acknowledged the challenges faced by families with the opening of classes, particularly concerning educational expenses. Some schools, like Tagaytay Elementary School, are ready to accommodate displaced learners, but many parents prefer their children to remain enrolled in their original schools. Additionally, college students face increased transportation costs due to the distance from the evacuation centers.
According to the latest DSWD disaster report, Claudio Villareal, Disaster Response and Management Division chief, stated that 1,086 families, or 3,941 individuals, remain in 12 evacuation centers, while 42 families, or 140 individuals, are staying outside these facilities.
"Humanitarian assistance provided by the agency, local government units, non-government organizations, and other partners has reached PHP318.99 million," Villareal reported. Of this total, PHP305.43 million came from the DSWD Field Office 5, PHP2.30 million from local government units, PHP983,904 from NGOs, and PHP10.27 million from other government agencies, private organizations, and partners.
As of July 21, the DSWD has also reported available relief resources amounting to PHP270.57 million, which includes PHP3 million in standby funds and PHP267.57 million in stockpiled relief goods ready for immediate deployment.
