Humans, animal alike continue to get gov’t aid amid Mayon unrest

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The government continued to provide assistance to everyone affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest in Bicol, including households, farmers, drivers, and even animals.

In an interview with PTV Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Thursday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) Director Norman Laurio said nearly 70,000 affected families have already received food and non-food assistance, including emergency cash transfers, distributed earlier by DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

He said the agency has so far extended about PHP147 million worth of assistance to affected residents.

Laurio added that the DSWD is also set to begin distributing the aid for affected farmers next week, following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“We will begin this from Monday to Wednesday. The DSWD has prepared PHP65 million for this,” he said, adding that the amount was downloaded from the DSWD central office to the regional office on Thursday.

Laurio assured the public that sufficient relief supplies remain available in regional warehouses across Bicol.

“We have more than 300,000 family food packs in stockpile,” he said, adding that the stockpile also includes hygiene kits, ready-to-eat meals, and other emergency supplies in preparation for other possible disasters, including an incoming low-pressure area.

Laurio said the morale of internally displaced families is also being monitored, particularly those staying in the evacuation centers and “tent city.”

Animal welfare

Meanwhile, the Albay Veterinary Office (AVO) said Friday it is intensifying the distribution of feeds and veterinary medicines for livestock and poultry affected by Mayon’s ashfall and pyroclastic density current (PDC) incidents, following nearly PHP391,000 worth of reported animal losses.

Albay Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Pancho Mella, said the AVO is preparing assistance for animal owners in villages hit by ashfall, particularly areas where grazing lands were heavily damaged.

“Feeds should be provided to villages affected by ashfall because there is really no grass left,” Mella said, noting that commercial feeds and medicines are urgently needed for surviving animals.

He added that the office is also set to conduct veterinary medical missions once conditions stabilize to assess the health condition of livestock and pets that survived the ashfall and volcanic activity.

Based on AVO data as of May 8, a total of 76 animals were reported dead, while two others remained missing following the PDC event on May 2.

In Barangay Anoling, Camalig, recorded animal deaths included five carabaos, two cattle, five dogs, and 10 chickens. One carabao and one cow were also reported missing.

In Barangay Mi-isi, Daraga, reported animal deaths included two carabaos, one cow, 50 chickens, and one dog, with estimated total losses reaching PHP391,000.

Mella clarified that the animals that died were not among those transferred earlier to government-designated animal pooling stations.

“The animals that died were not pooled animals,” he said, explaining that the affected owners were not included in the list of farmers who submitted livestock for transfer during the early stages of volcanic unrest.

He said ongoing AVO validation showed no recorded mortality or missing animals among those sheltered at pooling sites.

“So far, there has been no mortality and no missing animals,” Mella said. “The animals in the pooling stations are safe.”

He, however, noted that pooling areas were also affected by ashfall, resulting in depleted grass and forage supply for the relocated animals.

Mella said the AVO will continue validating the condition of animals in pooling sites while preparing feed assistance and medical missions for livestock affected by the ashfall and PDC incidents.

Driver payout

In another development, Laurio said payouts for public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers have begun, targeting more than 4,000 beneficiaries across Albay and other provinces in the Bicol Region.

He said the payout is being conducted in close coordination with local government units, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and other concerned agencies.

The DSWD is also preparing assistance for transport and delivery drivers, with payout activities scheduled for May 30.

Laurio said the agency is ensuring orderly payout operations by selecting spacious and convenient venues with sufficient seating and logistical support from LGUs to avoid overcrowding and long queues.

“Please do not worry because the agency has sufficient food supplies, non-food items, and cash assistance ready for distribution,” he said. (With a report from Ella Mariz Mina and Melrose Lagonoy, OJTs/PNA)

REPLENISHED. Family food packs from the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) from the central office are now at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) warehouse in Baybay, Legazpi City, Albay on May 6, 2026. Nine trucks carrying 1,700 family food packs, totaling 15,300, are currently being unloaded in this warehouse. (Photo courtesy of DSWD-5)