The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) extended additional assistance to the Local Government Unit of Albay, providing 3,200 sacks of rice and other relief items for the affected communities of Mayon Volcano’s restiveness.
Albay Governor Edcel Lagman earlier received the supplies from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Chairperson and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and OCD Administrator and NDRRMC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno.
OCD previously sent tarpaulin rolls, N95 face masks, family food packs, hygiene kits, pelican cases, portable water filtration unit, and a water filtration truck to Albay to assist the affected areas. From PHP9.2 million cost of assistance yesterday, the overall worth of assistance provided by the agency is now at 13.6 million.
Meanwhile, Sec. Teodoro emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation and coordination among government agencies to respond more effectively to the situation. He also commended the smooth coordination between the Province of Albay and national government agencies as facilitated by OCD’s Bicol regional office.
“This arrangement in the coordination of efforts must hasten the provision of relief support and other services to ensure the safety of the affected communities. The DND, OCD, and all members of the NDRRMC will continue to closely work with the provincial government of Albay, ready for any contingency.” Sec. Teodoro said.
“We, together with Secretary Teodoro, had a conversation with our regional counterparts here in Bicol to discuss the situation and the needs of the province. In compliance with President Marcos’ guidance to us at the national level, we will continue to ensure the provision of every support that the province will be needing,” said Usec. Nepomuceno.
Usec. Nepomuceno and other officials from different agencies also joined the briefing for President Bongbong Marcos Jr. held this Wednesday night in Legazpi City, Albay.
The undersecretary presented updates to the President on the ongoing response activities. He was joined by OCD Central-Operations Service Director Cesar Idio who provided updates on the effects of the increasing activities of Mayon.
Officials from other government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Department of Health also gave updates to President Marcos Jr.
Governor Lagman thanked the President and other officials for visiting Albay and for all the assistance being extended to the province.
As of today, per PHIVOLCS’ latest bulletin, Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano, due to its relatively high level of unrest. Evacuation activities had been done by various local government units in communities surrounding the volcano.
