The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in Bicol Region (DHSUD-5) provided assistance to families impacted by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay province.

Karen Punzalan, DHSUD-5 spokesperson, said in an interview on Friday that families staying in evacuation centers in the villages of Anoling, Sua and Quirangay, in Camalig, Albay, received rice and other relief goods earlier this week.

“A total of 205 families were provided with essential rice packs and relief goods worth PHP100,000 affected by the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano,” she added.

Punzalan said that DHSUD-5 will also have an upcoming project under the Adopt a Community Program to provide the displaced families with sustainable, safe and secure living environments.

“We are planning to provide community improvements, particularly addressing water needs, for at least 25 families as part of the program. The initiative aims to provide clean water and support targeted areas,” she said.

As of Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the volcano’s lava effusion and flows have extended radially from the crater, as seen in three major gullies, with Basud reaching 3.8 kilometers (km), Bonga 1.6 km and Mi-isi 1.3 km.

Mayon Volcano generated one volcanic earthquake, 396 rockfalls, and nine pyroclastic density current signals or ‘uson’.

Within the 24-hour monitoring period, the volcano emitted 6,947 tonnes of sulfur dioxide.

Alert Level 3 remains in effect for Mayon, and entry into the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone is still prohibited. (PNA)