Albay Representative Joey Salceda on Tuesday expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his assurance that the national government will assist with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in evacuation centers amid Mayon Volcano’s continued unrest.
“Cleanliness is central to Filipino dignity. That’s why we are very thankful that the President has given his assurance of support for these facilities in evacuation centers,” Salceda said in a statement.
He said sanitation concerns will compound for prolonged evacuation, adding that the lack of WASH facilities also increases the risks of diseases.
Salceda said Albay lawmakers will continue to work with the House leadership headed by Speaker Martin Romualdez to get the necessary funding for these facilities.
Salceda, meanwhile, requested for continued support from the national government as the lava flow from Mayon Volcano’s summit dome has reached a “maximum length” of 2.5 kilometers according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
“The rumblings continue and the danger remains. We respectfully request the continued support of the national government for local governments with evacuees. The primary responsibility for evacuees lies with LGUs (local government units), but we really need national government support to keep people safe,” Salceda said.
“LGUs who have evacuated their people have made the decision that early evacuation is necessary to protect the lives of their people. But they need help. That is why we have repeatedly expressed our gratitude to the national government for its steadfast support of evacuation efforts,” he added.
He said the crucial ingredient to zero-casualty is sufficient resources, highlighting that the national government has been “extremely supportive.”
“Zero-casualty can be a very expensive objective – but it is embedded in our constitution, our culture, and our values that there is nothing more expensive than the loss of human life,” Salceda said.
Salceda added that due to the “protracted nature of Mayon evacuations, we will need not only food and economic assistance, but also health, safety, educational and psychosocial support.”
“We definitely need provisions for more social workers, more health workers and facilities to allow continued learning in evacuation centers. Evacuation should be minimally disruptive of the economic and social life of evacuees,” he said.
Marcos has reiterated that the government is ready to provide the necessary assistance to the families who have been displaced due to Mayon’s increasing volcanic activity.
He acknowledged that Mayon’s unrest could last for a few months.
In a media interview on the sidelines of the International Trade Forum at the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig City on Thursday, Marcos said all available resources will be tapped to help Mayon evacuees, stressing that the government must be “sensitive” to the needs of the affected residents in Albay province.
Mayon Volcano’s restiveness has forced nearly 18,000 individuals to stay in evacuation centers in the province’s six towns and two cities.
Marcos on Wednesday visited the Guinobatan Community College evacuation center to assess the condition of the displaced families and lead the distribution of government assistance.
In a situation briefing at the Albay Astrodome, Marcos said concerned government agencies must provide relief assistance to Mayon evacuees for 90 days, the estimated maximum period of unrest of the volcano. (PNA)