Albay: The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) has started distributing essential supplies to local government units (LGUs) in Albay province affected by the massive ashfall from Mayon Volcano's recent activity. In an interview on Monday, Jessar Adornado, officer-in-charge of OCD-5, said all hands are on deck to meet the needs of calamity-affected LGUs in Albay, following a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
According to Philippines News Agency, Adornado highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, "This is a directive of President Bongbong Marcos; he said that immediate assistance is needed. President Bongbong Marcos wants to immediately repair the damage caused by the eruption or ash flow of Mt. Mayon." The office has committed to providing 24,000 bottles of water, each containing six liters, specifically for Guinobatan, which has reported issues with its water source. This supply is expected to fulfill the town's daily requirement of 15,000 liters for eight days. The delivery was initially scheduled for May 6, with hopes it could be expedited.
In addition to the water supply, OCD-5 released 1,000 hygiene kits, evenly distributed between Camalig and Guinobatan, along with 1,000 goggles for responders. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is supplying regular food and non-food items, while the Department of Health has already distributed medicines, health supplies, and jerrycans to address Guinobatan's needs.
The ashfall has impacted 87 barangays, affecting approximately 30,512 families and 102,000 individuals. Albay 3rd District Rep. Raymund Adrian Salceda has taken initiative by distributing over 28,000 facemasks to protect residents, especially vulnerable groups, from respiratory hazards caused by the ash. These facemasks were delivered to 24 barangays across Guinobatan town. Salceda emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety and health and mentioned that food packs would soon be distributed to around 10,000 affected families in Guinobatan town and Ligao City.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized personnel to lead clearing operations and debris removal in ashfall-affected communities. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered immediate deployment of police and equipment to Camalig, Guinobatan, and Ligao City to address thick ash deposits that threaten to disrupt humanitarian efforts. Local police units from Police Regional Office-5 are maintaining a visible presence on ash-affected roads to manage traffic under challenging visibility conditions.
Nartatez further stated that additional traffic personnel have been deployed to key roads in Albay to manage traffic flow, and police units are providing real-time advisories to prevent accidents. Mobile units equipped with specialized search and rescue tools and lighting are now operating effectively in areas where ash accumulation has blocked traditional routes.
