Displaced families staying in evacuation centers due to Mayon Volcano’s seven-month unrest received nearly ₱328 million in financial assistance, food, and non-food support, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported.
The DSWD directly covered ₱314 million of the total aid, while local government units (LGUs) and partner organizations contributed the remaining ₱14 million. The agency allocated ₱135 million for food and non-food items, alongside ₱179 million dedicated to early recovery efforts.
These recovery initiatives included the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, as well as cash-for-work opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and affected farmers.
Throughout the relief operations, the DSWD distributed approximately 166,000 family food packs and 1,400 ready-to-eat food boxes. Beyond basic necessities, the agency set up 368 family tents and reached 3,670 individuals through social protection vehicles delivering frontline services directly to communities.
To address emotional distress, officials conducted 1,053 psychosocial support sessions featuring psychological first aid, child-friendly spaces, and women-friendly spaces.
With the lowering of Mayon Volcano’s alert level on Wednesday, displaced residents across Albay have begun returning home after months in evacuation centers.