Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announced that families affected by the prolonged unrest of Mayon Volcano have received assistance amounting to PHP328 million during their seven-month stay in evacuation centers.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD reported distributing PHP314 million in aid, with an additional PHP14 million provided by local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies. Of the total amount, PHP135 million was allocated for food and non-food items, while PHP179 million supported early recovery programs, including the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, cash-for-work assistance for internally displaced persons (IDPs), and cash-for-work for affected farmers.
The DSWD also distributed 166,000 family food packs and 1,400 ready-to-eat food boxes to the affected families. In addition, the agency conducted 1,053 psychosocial support interventions, such as child-friendly spaces, women-friendly spaces, and psychological first aid to assist residents in coping with the disaster's emotional impact.
To further support shelter and emergency services, the DSWD provided 368 family tents and assisted 3,670 individuals through social protection vehicles delivering frontline social welfare services in evacuation centers and impacted communities.
Following the reduction of Mayon Volcano's alert level on Wednesday, IDPs in Albay have begun returning home. Barangay Anoling captain Mia Alemania confirmed that all 123 evacuated families, comprising 325 individuals, safely returned to their community. Alemania emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant despite the lowered alert level and urged residents to await official announcements.
The barangay initiated cleaning operations and coordinated with the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to ensure an orderly decampment. Returning families received four family food packs, 20 kilograms of rice, and an additional sack of rice, while the municipal government is working to provide cash assistance to help families rebuild their livelihoods.
Vilma Mostera, 52, expressed relief at returning home, viewing it as a chance to rebuild after months in evacuation. "We are happy that we can finally return home. There's still nothing like being in your own home. Now that Mayon has calmed down, we can start farming again," she stated.
Another evacuee, Racelle Mabini, expressed gratitude for the government's ongoing food assistance. "We are very grateful to the mayor, our barangay captain, and especially the DSWD. They provided us with more than enough rice and food, so we have enough supply as we return home," she said.
