Situation Briefing in Albay 1/29/2018

Camp General Simeon Ola, Legazpi City January 29, 2018 President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited Legazpi City, Albay to oversee the government’s operations relative to the raising of Alert Level 4 over Mayon Volcano. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Officer-in-Charge Dr. Renato Solidum provided a situation briefing for the President on the status of Mayon Volcano, while Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Administrator and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad gave updates regarding government efforts in addressing the effects of the recent volcano’s activity in the villages of Albay. In his statement, President Duterte vowed to safeguard the health of the displaced residents, provide temporary shelters for them, and ensure the sanitation of those in the evacuation centers by delivering portable toilets. He also heeded the requests of the local government units (LGUs) and gave his marching orders to solve the difficulties by next week. “We will solve all the problems next week. Before the end of the week, tapos na iyan,” he said. He then handed over PhP 20 million in cash assistance to the local government of Albay through Governor Bichara to supplement the needs of the displaced residents. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) also gave an additional PhP 5 million to the Albay LGU. “I’ll give you initially today 20 million and I will tomorrow by sending you about 50 [million],” he said. Likewise, President Duterte mentioned that the Department of Agriculture is ready to provide a Quick Reaction Fund amounting to PhP 100 million if the need arises to help the local farmers affected by the recent activities of Mayon Volcano to recover their damages. He also tasked Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino to oversee the government operations and welfare of the evacuees in the region. After the briefing, President Duterte did an aerial inspection around Mayon Volcano and checked the condition of the affected areas in Albay. **** Connect with RTVM Website: http://rtvm.gov.ph Facebook: www.facebook.com/presidentialcom and www.facebook.com/rtvmalacanang Twitter: @RTVMalacanang Google+: google.com/+RTVMalacanang