DSWD cash aid brings immediate reliefto Mayon ashfall-hit farmers in Albay

By Sally A. Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay --- More than 6,400 farmers have received emergency cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) after losing crops and income because of ashfall from Mayon Volcano.The assistance was provided in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that affected families and communities receive immediate support amid the ongoing volcanic activity in Albay.

“The President’s instruction is very clear. The national government, particularly the DSWD, stands behind the province of Albay to ensure that if there is anything more needed, the DSWD is here to provide assistance,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said during his recent visit to Albay.

The DSWD provided P10,230 each to 6,411 farmers from various areas, including Sto. Domingo, Bacacay, Malilipot, Guinobatan, Daraga, Camalig, Legazpi City, Ligao City, and Tabaco City, under the Emergency Cash Transfer program. 

Romero Binaraba, a 65-year-old farmer from Barangay Mapaco in Guinobatan, expressed his gratitude to the DSWD and plans to use the aid to purchase animal feed, as ashfall has contaminated the forage for his livestock 

“We are happy for the assistance from the president. We will buy feed for our animals because their food has been affected by volcanic ash,” he said. 

Nolan Oraa, 55, from Muladbucad Pequeño in Guinobatan, said that the financial help will support him in recovering from the losses caused by ashfall, which damaged his chili, eggplant, onion, and rice crops. 

“Thank you very much, President Bongbong Marcos. This assistance is a significant help for us farmers to support our families and recover from what we’ve endured due to the Mayon Volcano,” he said. 

Belma Abilino, 69, a farmer from Barangay Sua in Camalig, also expressed her appreciation for the government’s aid.

She mentioned that she plans to buy fertilizer to save her crops that have withered due to the heavy ashfall from Mayon Volcano.

“We are grateful that the assistance has reached us,” Abilino said. 

Gatchalian assured residents that the government is prepared to continue providing assistance while Mayon Volcano remains active. 

“As I told the people of Albay, including the governor, congressmen, and our mayors, under the directive of President Marcos, the DSWD continues to closely monitor the situation in Mayon Volcano,” Gatchalian said.

“We stand ready to support the people of Albay not just in terms of immediate relief but also in early recovery,” he added. (Raiza Lucido contributed to this report/PIA Bicol/Albay)