Internally displaced persons in Albay province began a 30-day cash-for-work program Wednesday to support themselves while staying in evacuation centers.

A total of 206 evacuees from Barangays Anoling and Quirangay in Camalig town started work after an orientation Tuesday, Edylyn Noble, the municipal social welfare chief, said.

The evacuees, displaced from Mayon Volcano’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone, will earn PHP435 daily, equivalent to the regional minimum wage, through Feb. 19.

“DSWD cash-for-work will help the IDPs sustain their daily needs inside the evacuation centers,” Noble said in a phone interview.

She said the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) provide basic needs, including family food packs distributed every two days. The centers also have child-friendly spaces with activities like storytelling and coloring for psychosocial support.

In a separate interview, Tim Florece, Camalig public information chief, said the town is preparing four more barangays –Tumpa, Salugan, Cabangan and Quirangay– for possible evacuation if Mayon’s alert level is raised to 4.

He said eight additional evacuation centers are ready, which could accommodate 2,811 more families. (PNA)