ALBAY, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) delivered 220 food packs on Saturday to residents housed across four evacuation centers in Tabaco City, following the recent eruptive activity of Mayon Volcano.
The relief operation was spearheaded by DSWD Field Office 5 in the Bicol Region to support families displaced from Barangays Magapo, Buang, Mariroc (Nagsipit), Oson, and Buhian.
“Makakatulong ang mga food packs para matugunan ang kanilang pagkain habang hinihintay na maging ligtas ang kanilang pagbabalik sa kani-kanilang tahanan,” the DSWD stated.
While aid has begun to reach families, evacuees in Barangay Buang voiced growing concerns over an inconsistent water supply inside the evacuation camps, which they fear could compromise health and hygiene standards. Residents report that they are strictly rationing water consumption due to the unreliable distribution and are urging local authorities to install a rainwater collection system to address daily sanitation needs, including toilet use.
The continuous displacement stems from Mayon Volcano’s moderately explosive eruption, which prompted the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to elevate its alert status to Level 3.
PHIVOLCS reported that the volcano also resumed ash emission at 8:22 a.m. on Tuesday.
Driven by the ongoing unrest, more than 400 families have been forced to leave their homes since the weekend.