Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge Emmanuel A. Leyco today flew to Legazpi City in Albay to oversee the relief operation of the Department for families and individuals who have been affected by the series of eruptions of Mayon Volcano.

Upon arrival in the city, OIC Leyco proceeded to DSWD-Field Office V where he attended a briefing led by DSWD Regional Office Director Arnel Garcia  together with Undersecretary for Operations and Protective Programs Hope V. Hervilla  on the  assistance the agency has so far provided to the affected residents, and to monitor the augmentation support delivered to the concerned cities and municipalities.

The Officer-in-Charge will also join President Rodrigo R. Duterte and other cabinet members in a meeting in the afternoon to discuss the efforts made by the different government agencies that are responding to the needs of the affected families.

As of 6 AM today, 22,918 families or 89,962 individuals in 59 barangays have been affected by the volcanic activities of Mayon.

The number of families staying in 74 evacuation centers has now reached 18,291 or 69,425 persons, while 2,822 families or 11,946 persons are still staying with their relatives in the municipalities of Camalig, Daraga, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo.

To date, a total of P56,463,903.85 worth of assistance has been provided to affected residents; of which, P18,927,024.72 came from DSWD. The rest was provided by the local government units, non-government organizations, and other donors.

OIC Leyco also shared information on the status of DSWD programs being implemented in Albay. He said that the agency implements its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) program in 22 barangays in three districts of Albay. These SLP projects which comprise of livestock raising, poultry raising, vegetable production and handircraft businesses benefit some 1,018 participants and their respective families. The total cost of livelihood assistance that has been provided is pegged at P P7,355,454.20.

In the meantime,  the number of  Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program household-beneficiaries who have been affected by Mayon’s volcanic activities is pegged at  6,114; these are under the jurisdiction of nine LGUs of Albay.  There are also 5,479 Pantawid Pamilya households currently staying in evacuation centers.

OIC Leyco earlier today visited the Gogon Central School which has been converted to an evacuation center and spoke to a number of mothers staying there with their children.

“We want to make sure that the DSWD continues to give support to LGUs as they take the lead in addressing the needs of their citizens now staying in the evacuation centers. We see that there are many senior citizens, mothers, and children in the evacuation centers – taking care of their immediate welfare is very important, and we continue to document their health status,  in coordination with the health authorities. Our DSWD Field Office V has also initiated efforts to establish children and women-friendly spaces,” he said. #