DSWD chief visits Bicol to check on affected families of Mayon Volcano unrest

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian visits the Bicol Region today (January 8) to oversee the ongoing disaster response operations following the escalating restiveness of Mayon Volcano, with Alert Level 3 being raised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

The DSWD chief’s visit aims to ensure that the Department’s response mechanisms are fully activated, resources are readily available and that the assistance provided to affected families is timely and adequate.

Secretary Gatchalian is on his way to Albay province to check the situation of the families who have sought temporary shelter in evacuation centers.

“First domestic trip for 2026 — Albay bound to check on the preemptive evacuations because of the Mayon unrest,” Secretary Rex said in a Facebook post early Thursday (January 08).

Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stressed that Secretary Gatchalian wants to ensure that the Field Office 5 – Bicol Region is prepared for any eventuality.

“The Secretary is on his way to Bicol para personal na makita kung maayos ang takbo ng disaster response ng DSWD Field Office sa Bicol, tinitingnan kung sapat ang family food packs, operational ang mobile kitchens at water stations, at siguradong ready ang lahat ng resources para sa mga apektadong pamilya,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said on Thursday (January 08).

Secretary Gatchalian will be holding coordination meetings with provincial governors and city and municipal mayors to assess the situation on the ground, identify the resources needed for augmentation support and strengthen inter-agency and local government response.

The DSWD chief will also oversee the distribution of family food packs (FFPs) and hygiene kits to displaced families inside evacuation centers, according to Asst. Secretary Dumlao.

Among the evacuation centers to be visited by Secretary Gatchalian and other DSWD officials are in the towns of Malilipot, Buang, Tabaco and Camalig in Albay province.

Aside from the food and non-food items (FNFIs), hot meals are also provided through the DSWD’s mobile kitchens. Mobile water stations and mobile command centers have been deployed in various towns and barangays in Albay to ensure the continuous delivery of essential services.

As of January 8, families evacuated from the 6-kilometer radius danger zones are currently staying in the following evacuation centers: San Jose Elementary School in Malilipot; Hiraya Manawari Permanent Alternate Houses in Tabaco City; Buang Covered Court in Barangay Purok in Tabaco City; and Baligang Elementary School in Camalig.

The DSWD’s FO-5 continues its close coordination with concerned local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies to monitor the situation and ensure that assistance remains sufficient for affected families. (KI)

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