Returning Mayon evacuees continue to receive cash, relief assistance from gov’t

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- Families who recently returned to their communities near the danger zone of the Philippines’ most active volcano received a total of P3,318,000 in cash assistance to help them rebuild their lives.

Last month, about 4,100 individuals, comprising 1,131 families, returned to their communities located in the cities of Tabaco and Ligao, as well as the towns of Camalig and Malilipot in Albay province after evacuating in January due to the raising of Alert Level 3 for Mayon Volcano.

Most of these families spent about seven months in evacuation centers, while others stayed with relatives.

Last week, 1,106 of these families received cash aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to the DSWD Bicol Field Office (DSWD 5), each family received P3,000 in cash assistance, part of the agency’s enhanced support for families affected by the volcano’s eruption.

Town residents lamented that when they returned home, they found their livestock and crops all gone.

“Volcanic ash covered our fields. We will have to replant and revive our farms so we can provide for our families,” said Vilma Mostera of Barangay Anoling, Camalig, one of the areas severely hit by the volcanic ashfall in May.

Heeding the directive from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DSWD Regional Director Norman Laurio implemented the cash relief operation last Aug. 26-28.

To help the returning evacuees cope, DSWD 5 provided each family with five food packs, each containing rice, canned protein items, and drink sachets.

Between January and August 2026, the DSWD also supported local governments by assisting 4,108 displaced persons through the distribution of food, household items, medical supplies, and the provision of potable water.

In a report, the DSWD said that some P328 million worth of cash, food, and non-food assistance was provided to families during their seven-month stay in evacuation centers.

Of that total, P135 million was allocated for food and non-food items, while P179 million was directed towards early recovery programs.

These included the Emergency Cash Transfer program, cash-for-work assistance for internally displaced persons, and cash-for-work initiatives for affected farmers.

In addition to financial assistance, the DSWD distributed 166,000 family food packs and 1,400 ready-to-eat food boxes to affected families throughout the emergency response. (PIA Bicol)