DSWD prepares for escalation of Bulusan volcano unrest

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pre-positioned family food packs (FFPs) and non-food relief items and inspected evacuation centers in Sorsogon in case the Mount Bulusan’s volcanic activities escalate.

Officials of the DSWD Field Office-5 (Bicol Region) led by Regional Director Norman Laurio led the inspection of the evacuation center in Juban in Sorsogon, which will cater to families residing within the six-kilometer danger zone.

Barangay Puting Sapa in Juban is inside the danger zone and has 257 residents.

Other municipalities that have started preparations are Sorsogon, Irosin and Bulusan.

DSWD has pre-positioned 4,500 food packs, 500 hygiene kits, and 500 sleeping kits in Juban, Irosin, Bulusan, Bulan, and Barcelona.

There are 9,110 food packs available for distribution at the DSWD warehouse in Matnog, and 4,600 packs from the Sorsogon provincial government.

The Philippine Institute of Volcano and Seismology last week placed Mount Bulusan under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest), due to increased volcanic activity.

Entry to the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone and two-kilometer extended danger zone is strictly prohibited.

The provincial government has advised the public to prepare for ash fall and lahar flow in case of heavy rains. – Jocelyn Montemayor