The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has assured Bicolanos that the agency is ready to respond if the restiveness of Mt. Bulusan continues and intensifies with over 180,000 family food packs (FFPs) already prepositioned at the DSWD Field Office 5-Bicol Region.
More than 25,000 boxes of FFPs gave also been prepositioned in Sorsogon province that are ready for distribution to families that will be affected by this volcanic activity, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said on Monday (April 28).
“ Upon receiving the initial report on the incident, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio issued directives to all disaster teams to be on alert to monitor the situation. RD Laurio is also on his way to the affected areas to personally monitor the situation and coordinate with the concerned local government units (LGUs) for the provision of assistance to their constituents,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also DSWD spokesperson, said.
The DSWD-DRMG Official stressed that the preparations and prompt action that the Department are undertaking are in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr’s
to ensure that quality and sufficient services are provided to those in need, especially to the victims of disasters.
Based on the report, the initial areas affected by Mt. Bulusan are the Municipalities of Juban, Irosin, and Casiguran. The Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on April 28 raised Alert Level 1 over Mt. Bulusan, declaring a permanent danger zone into the four-kilometer radius.
No evacuations have yet been recommended but the DSWD Field Office is currently making all preparations to ensure the seamless provision of assistance to the affected families.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said that the Department under the leadership of Secretary Rex Gatchalian is continuously coordinating with the LGUs and the PHIVOLCS to get regular updates, as assessment of the affected areas is still on-going.
The DSWD spokesperson appealed the public to remain calm and cooperate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices for their safety. (GDVF)