DSWD releases over P65-M financial aid to affected farmers of Mayon’s eruption

GUINOBATAN, Albay --- In an effort to ease the plight of Albayano farmers affected by the Mayon Volcano eruption, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian released P65 million in funds in three cities and five municipalities for the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program benefiting 6,411 farmers whose crops, vegetables, and palay plantations were damaged by volcanic ashfall.

The 6,411 farmers from the municipalities of Camalig, Guinobatan, Daraga, Sto. Domingo, and Malilipot, as well as the cities of Ligao, Tabaco, and Legazpi, each received P10,230 in cash assistance.

Gatchalian personally oversaw the distribution of emergency cash transfers to farmers in Guinobatan and Camalig on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

The P10,230 assistance may be used to cover the basic and vital needs of families currently staying in various temporary evacuation centers.

Evacuees have been staying in temporary shelters for nearly five months since Mayon Volcano showed signs of restiveness on January 1, 2026.

Prior to the payout, Gatchalian met with Albay Governor Noel E. Rosal, 3rd District Rep. Adrian Salceda, Guinobatan Mayor Gemma Ongjoco, Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo, and representatives of lawmakers Rep. Carlos Loria (2nd District) and Rep. Krisel Lagman, along with DSWD Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, to discuss disaster response measures ahead of the rainy and typhoon seasons, especially amid the accumulation of more than 60 million cubic meters of volcanic debris ejected by Mayon.

Gatchalian said the department has sufficient resources and remains ready to respond to the needs of displaced families who have been staying in evacuation centers for almost five months.

He added that the initiative follows the directive of President Marcos Jr. to ensure the welfare of families affected by disasters.

In Guinobatan and Camalig alone, a total of 1,519 farmers received P10,230 each as immediate assistance to help cover health and other essential needs.

When asked about the government’s readiness for a prolonged disaster response, given the extended Mayon Volcano activity, Gatchalian said the national government has sufficient funds under its disaster response program.

He noted that the government has a P5-billion Quick Response Fund allocated to various agencies for disaster relief, half of which has already been utilized for ongoing disaster operations nationwide.

“We have enough funds to provide aid to families affected by natural disasters. We have a P5-billion Quick Response Fund this year allotted to government agencies for disaster response efforts. Half of it has been used for our disaster response measures across the country,” Gatchalian said.

On April 30, 2026, Gatchalian also visited internally displaced families staying in temporary shelters in Malilipot, Albay, where he led the distribution of Emergency Cash Transfer assistance for evacuees affected by volcanic unrest.

Following the heightened activity of Mayon, the DSWD Bicol Field Office, led by Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, immediately mobilized stockpiles, resources, and response teams to deliver assistance and services to affected communities in Albay.

“These ongoing interventions are in response to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fast-track government assistance and ensure that affected families and communities receive timely, responsive, and compassionate support delivered with extra love and extra care,” Laurio said.

Governor Noel E. Rosal expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by the national government through the DSWD, saying it has greatly helped displaced families, especially farmers.

“We are grateful to President Ferdinand Marcos for his continuing aid to our constituents. As counterpart, we also provided rice and other assistance, while DSWD continues to provide food rations so our kababayans will not return to the six-kilometer permanent danger zone for safety,” Rosal said.