The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will continue to monitor the situation of the Mt. Bulusan evacuees who have returned to their homes to ensure they can start to lead normal lives after the eruption, an agency official said on Saturday (May 3).

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the five evacuation centers have been shut down based on the agency’s May 3, 6:00 a.m. report.

“The DSWD’s Field Office (FO) personnel in Bicol Region were among the camp coordinators who helped with the decampment of evacuees. Our agency’s response, however, does not stop here. Monitoring efforts will continue especially as Mt. Bulusan remains on Alert Level 1,” Assistant Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD’s spokesperson, said.

Since the April 28 eruption of Mt. Bulusan, the DSWD has extended at least PHP22 million in humanitarian aid to the affected families, particularly in the province of Sorsogon.

The relief aid dispatched to areas affected include family food packs (FFPs), hot meals, potable water, other non-food essentials such as kitchen and hygiene kits, and water filtration units.

Despite the recent decampment, the DSWD spokesperson said the agency is ready to release more relief supplies as the need arises, with the DSWD Bicol Region maintaining over Php3 million in stand-by funds and FFPs and non-food items amounting to over Php205 million.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier said the agency may provide financial assistance to help address the varied survival needs of affected families, such as the purchase of medicines and other health care needs that are not included in the food pack box.

If necessary, the DSWD may also assist the affected population in the repair of their damaged houses or to jumpstart their livelihood.

The DSWD’s Bicol Regional office will remain in coordination with the provincial government of Sorsogon to monitor the Mt. Bulusan situation and ensure swift provision of needed help. (LSJ)