The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office (FO) 5 (Bicol Region), continues to assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by Mayon Volcano’s restiveness.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) said a total of 1,115 families or 4,055 individuals are still staying at 12 evacuation centers (ECs) as of 6 p.m. Sunday.

“Umabot na po sa 6,363 individuals ang apektado ng patuloy na pag-alburoto ng Bulkang Mayon, pero sa kabila niyan hindi naman po tumitigil ang ating mga DSWD Angel’s in Red Vests sa pagbisita sa mga evacuation centers, at sa pag-iikot sa mga apektadong munisipalidad (The number of ndividuals affected by the restiveness of Mayon Volcano has already reached 6,363. Our personnel continue to visit the evacuation centers and the affected municipalities),” Dumlao said in a news release on Monday.

The DSWD spokesperson said the Bicol field office held recreational activities at the San Antonio Evacuation Center in Barangay Oson, Tabaco City on Sunday as part of the psychosocial and stress debriefing activities of the department to address the emotional needs of children staying in evacuation centers.

“Ang direktiba po kasi ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa ganitong panahon ng sakuna, kinakailangan din na mawala yung pangamba at lungkot sa ating mga kababayan lalo na ng ating mga kabataan (In this time of calamity, the directive of President Marcos is to also address the anxiety and sadness of our countrymen, especially the children),” she said.

The DSWD has also started the distribution of family food packs (FFPs) as part of the second phase of the response operations for the Mayon Volcano unrest in Albay.

A total of 5,665 boxes of FFPs will be distributed to various barangays in Tabaco City, Malilipot, Camalig, and other affected municipalities.

The first phase of food assistance, which began on Jan. 4, helped sustain the food requirements of 1,127 displaced families for 15 days.

Dumlao said the transfer of IDPs staying in evacuation centers within public schools to the Tent City in Malilipot has also begun.

This action complies with the Department of Education (DepEd) protocol, limiting the use of public schools as temporary evacuation centers to 15 days.

“Ongoing na po ang transfer ng ilan sa ating mga IDPs inside the public schools. Over 100 families po ay ililipat sa Tent City located in the municipality of Malilipot para po mas komportable sila (The transfer of IDPs inside public schools is ongoing. Over 100 families will be transferred to make them more comfortable). This will also give way for our students to have a more peaceful environment, and to not disrupt their classes,” Dumlao said.

As of press time, the total humanitarian assistance given by the DSWD to Mayon-affected families has reached PHP14.06 million. (PNA)