By Priam Nepomuceno | Philippine News Agency
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the Bicol Region is ramping up relief efforts for families affected by the eruption of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon province.
These response efforts are aligned with the whole-of-government approach mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ensuring a unified and comprehensive response to this disaster, the OCD said in a statement Tuesday.
It also said Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairperson Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and OCD Executive Director, Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno, are closely monitoring the situation and have assured that all necessary support will be provided to affected communities.
“In support of the provincial government’s request, OCD Bicol has prepared a stockpile of 880 boxes of face masks, totaling 44,000 pieces, along with 2,000 hygiene kits, ready for distribution to evacuees. The provincial government has specifically requested 1,500 hygiene kits and 10,000 face masks to help maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of illness among displaced residents. Director Claudio Yucot assured that OCD Region V (5) has the capacity to provide these critical non-food items and other aid as needed,” it said.
Aside from these, the Sorsogon provincial government requested assistance in conducting aerial surveys to assess the damage caused by the ashfall.
“In response, Director Yucot facilitated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure an air asset for aerial reconnaissance, which will help officials better understand the scope of the impact and coordinate relief efforts more effectively,” the OCD said.
Yucot, who is the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Bicol chair, also visited affected municipalities within Sorsogon.
During his visit, he engaged with local officials and the Sorsogon PDRRM Council to review initial response actions and identify ongoing needs.
He also inspected the evacuation center at Juban town to evaluate the condition of displaced residents and ensure appropriate support was being provided.
The latest OCD report showed some 14,830 families, or around 74,209 individuals, have been affected by the eruption, with 19 families or 61 individuals staying in two evacuation centers.
The response remains ongoing, with regular updates, advisories, and coordination with local government units and disaster response agencies to ensure a swift and effective response.
Prepositioned for immediate deployment are critical supplies, including 888 N95 masks valued at over P1.2 million and 2,000 hygiene kits worth approximately P3.5 million.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has also mobilized additional resources, such as 2,000 family food packs valued at P1.78 million, along with tents, water containers, and hygiene kits.
The Bureau of Fire Protection is continuing its road flushing operations to clear ash from major roads while the Sorsogon PDRRMO has activated its Emergency Operations Center and is working with municipal disaster response teams to monitor and respond to evolving needs.
The Department of Health also issued a Code White alert, emphasizing the importance of health and safety protocols for the affected populations.
