At least 194 internally displaced persons from Camalig, Albay, began an emergency employment program Wednesday under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) TUPAD Program, providing income to families staying in evacuation centers for over 50 days due to Mayon Volcano’s unrest.

Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. said the beneficiaries, from Barangays Anoling and Quirangay, underwent orientation and received personal protective equipment for the 10-day work period, for which they will receive PHP4,350.

“They went through orientation and were briefed on the program’s strict regulations. They will work for 10 days to receive a PHP4,350 salary. Along with the orientation, they also distributed personal protective equipment that they will use for the entire duration of the employment,” Baldo said in an interview.

The evacuees are tasked with maintaining cleanliness in classrooms, bathrooms, and the environment of their respective evacuation centers.

Baldo said the step addresses the livelihood needs of IDPs whose sources of income were affected by the volcano’s continued unrest. He added that the local government continues to provide family food packs, deploy health workers, and conduct disinfection in schools serving as evacuation centers.

On Saturday, another 194 beneficiaries from Barangays Anoling, Quirangay, and Sua will receive payouts for a 30-day cash-for-work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported continuous ash emission from Mayon, with plumes rising 150 to 200 meters.

Lava flows have reached gullies at Basud (3.8 km), Bonga (2.3 km), and Mi-isi (1.3 km). Over the past 24 hours, Phivolcs recorded three volcanic earthquakes, 305 rockfall events, and 15 pyroclastic density currents.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect, and entry into the 6-km. permanent danger zone is prohibited. (PNA)