NDCC: P55.4M spent for Mayon evacuees in two weeks

At least P55.37 million was spent for some 47,000 people evacuated from the danger zones around restive Mayon Volcano in the last two weeks, before state volcanologists lowered the alert level and allowed displaced families to go home. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the amount includes assistance from the National Government, local government units and nongovernment organizations (NGO). Of the amount, P9.31 million came from the NDCC. Another P4.88 million came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P6.92 million from the Department of Health, P32.88 million from local government units and P1.39 million from NGOs. More than 47,000 people were evacuated from danger zones since the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert level there to 3 last December 14. Phivolcs raised the alert level to 4 last December 20, but lowered the alert level on Saturday after noticing lowered activity from Mayon in past days. As of 6 p.m. on Friday, the NDCC said 10,032 families or 47,563 people were staying in 29 evacuation centers. The DSWD distributed rice, family food packs, noodles, blankets, plastic mats, canned goods, water jugs, jackets, towels and sweaters to the evacuees. Each displaced family will receive two kilos of high-energy biscuits from the United Nations World Food Programme. Also, the DSWD's central office allotted P500,000 more as a standby fund for evacuees during the preemptive evacuation. The DSWD's Bicol office has P802,718 in standby funds and has stockpiled relief goods. The DSWD likewise conducted entertainment activities as part of its psychosocial intervention program. It organized three psychosocial teams to debrief and counsel evacuees. For its part, the DOH distributed drugs, medicines, face masks, emergency health kits, chlorine granules and drinking water containers. It also distributed anti-venom kits. — LBG/NPA, GMANews.TV