CASH AID. A Ligao City resident (right) who is among those affected by Mayon Volcano's restiveness receives government cash aid from a DSWD personnel (center) and Albay Rep. Fernando Cabredo (left) on Friday (June 16, 2023). The PHP5,000 cash assistance for each of 869 families from Ligao City and Guinobatan in Albay province is under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Cabredo)
LEGAZPI CITY – At least 869 families from Ligao City and Guinobatan town in the province of Albay who are affected by the ongoing activities of Mayon Volcano on Friday received government aid through the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
In an interview, Albay (3rd District) Rep. Fernando Cabredo said each family received PHP5,000 in cash to support their daily needs while temporarily settled in the evacuation centers.
"Madami pong gastusin maliban sa pagkain ang bawat pamilya. Meron din silang ibang pangangailangan tulad ng gatas sa mga may anak na maliit pa (Every family has a lot to spend on other than food. They also have other needs such as milk for those who have small children) and maintenance medicines of some senior citizens," Cabredo said.
He said he earlier appealed to House Speaker Martin Romualdez for financial assistance to all evacuees in his district who were displaced from their livelihood.
"Speaker Romualdez immediately granted my request and appropriated funds through the DSWD's AICS program. Nong tinanong ako, baka pwede mabigyan ng PHP2,000 kada pamilya. Ako po ay labis na natuwa dahil pagkalipas ng isang araw, ang ibinigay po na pondo ay para sa PHP5,000 kada pamilya (When I was asked, (I said) maybe we could give PHP2,000 per family. I was very happy because a day later, the funds appropriated were for PHP5,000 per family)," Cabredo explained.
He thanked the DSWD and Romualdez for the prompt action to ensure that the basic needs of every family are provided during this time of calamity.
Cabredo also said he will put up a community pantry in the different evacuation centers, where locally grown vegetables will be distributed to the families.
"An evacuee who got canned sardines from family food packs can get a squash or any other vegetable available in the pantry and cook it. They will have a variety of food aside from the canned goods and family food packs," he said.
Donation from Sorsogon
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Sorsogon donated PHP2.5 million to the province of Albay to help sustain the basic needs of those displaced by Mt. Mayon's unrest.
"In a show of solidarity and support, the provincial government of Sorsogon, under the guidance of Governor Jose Edwin "Boboy" Hamor extends a helping hand to the neighboring province of Albay... The check aimed at aiding in the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the affected communities, demonstrating the strength of regional cooperation during times of crisis," the Sorsogon provincial information office said in a social media post.
Albay Governor Edcel Grex Lagman thanked his Sorsogon counterpart for the donation.
Sorsogon province is the first neighboring province to give monetary donation to Albay, which is currently under a state of calamity due to Mayon Volcano's effusive eruption. (PNA)
