Albay: More than PHP65 million will be released to 6,411 farmers affected by ashfall and living within Mayon Volcano's six-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone, with each farmer receiving PHP10,200, Albay Governor Noel Rosal said on Monday. In an interview on PTV's Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Rosal thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and all those who helped ensure assistance for farmers.
According to Philippines News Agency, this aid is aimed at ensuring that affected families have food and cash in hand. Governor Rosal highlighted additional support from the president, including the Department of Labor and Employment's emergency employment program, TUPAD, which will be rolled out for farmers in the coming weeks.
The provincial government is proactively preparing for potential lahar in barangays that might be hit by lava-fed, collapsed pyroclastic density currents (PDCs). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) estimates around 4.6 million cubic meters of PDC deposits on Mayon's slopes, which could be remobilized during the rainy season and typhoons. Rosal emphasized the province's flagship disaster program's success in achieving zero casualties through preemptive evacuation.
Governor Rosal outlined the strict safety protocols related to PDCs and the Permanent Danger Zone, stressing the importance of mobilizing multiple checkpoints to ensure safety. The province is updating evacuation plans for four barangays in Daraga and has identified evacuation centers for barangays in Daraga, Guinobatan, and Camalig.
Tourism in Albay remains active, with flights full as tourists are curious about Mayon Volcano's status. However, planned conventions and MICE events have faced cancellations, impacting local businesses. To counteract this, the provincial government is promoting alternative attractions and experiences for visitors.
In response to the crisis, the provincial government plans to allocate funds to support workers in "no-work, no-pay" situations, including those in the transport, restaurant, and hotel sectors. Additionally, proactive measures have reduced families residing within the danger zone to about 1,000 across Tabaco City, Malilipot, and Camalig, with completed relocation sites ensuring their safety.
Governor Rosal expressed optimism for the future, noting that efforts are in place to clear the danger zone completely. Long-term alternative livelihoods are being explored for farmers, such as establishing hatcheries for tilapia fingerlings in inland waters.
