President Marcos has ordered the immediate assistance to communities affected by ashfall from the ongoing Mayon Volcano unrest, Malacañang said.
Marcos made the directive, noting Guinobatan and Camalig, Albay.
According to Malacañang, response operations have been mobilized to protect public health, ensure safety, and keep roads and essential services accessible in affected areas.
The President also directed authorities to closely monitor rivers and waterways for possible lahar flow, especially in the event of heavy rainfall.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has begun clearing operations to remove ash from major roads and ensure safe and continuous travel for residents and emergency responders.
The Department of Health (DOH) has also started distributing N95 masks and deployed mobile clinics and water stations to address respiratory concerns and provide immediate medical assistance, especially for those experiencing coughing, difficulty in breathing, and eye irritation.
Through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has been deployed for water spraying and ash clearing operations in affected communities.
Evacuation efforts are being strictly implemented with continuous monitoring and coordination to ensure the safety of residents in high-risk areas.
The effort is led by by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing food and essential support to families in evacuation centers, with thousands of food packs, ready-to-eat meals, and other relief supplies prepositioned across the Bicol Region.
“Residents are urged to remain vigilant, stay indoors as much as possible, wear protective masks, and follow safety advisories issued by their local government units,” Malacañang said.
It assured affected communities that the national government continues to work closely with local authorities to ensure that assistance reaches affected families quickly and that communities remain safe during this period.
Mayon Volcano erupted on Saturday afternoon, May 2. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed this, describing it as a pyroclastic density current (PDC), or locally called uson.
As of May 2, Mayon Volcano was under Alert Level 3, which means it has shown intensified magmatic unrest, indicating a high probability of a hazardous eruption within weeks or days.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday, May 3, a total of 1,438 families or 5,440 individuals are currently staying in 14 evacuation centers across affected areas in Albay.
