PRESIDENT MARCOS: Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Good afternoon and welcome to the situation briefing dito sa ating hinaharap na problema sa pagputok o hindi naman pumuputok pero sa – ‘yung ginagamit na salita pag-alburoto ng Bulkang Mayon. To start the briefing we will be led in prayer by Ms. Joyce Dela Rama.
[prayer]
DOST SEC. RENATO SOLIDUM JR.: Good afternoon, Mr. President, can I have my first slide? What I would like to do this afternoon is to briefly inform you of what’s happening in Mayon Volcano. Pagkatapos po nun, ano po ‘yung mga scenario na ating tinitingnan. [next slide please]
Starting June 5, 2023, DOST-PHIVOLCS noticed a significant number of rockfall events. This rockfall events po would be signified by the almond-shaped signature on the left side of the graph and the number of rockfalls has been increasing with time. So by June 5, we raised the level to two meaning that magma is near the crater pushing the old dome, ‘yung takip po na naiwan noong 2018 kaya nahulog po ‘yung bato starting June 5. [next slide]
By June 8, we noticed po ‘yung tinatawag na pyroclastic density current. Ang tawag po sa Bicolano ay “uson” na kapag ang mga bato ay gumulong with speed sa more than 60 kilometers per hour, it can be a danger to people on the slope. And the signal now is longer than the almond-shaped signal, meaning the motion of the rocks would be detected by our seismograph kahit cloud covered.
So we raised it to three, meaning those within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone were recommended to be evacuated. [next slide]
By June 11, it is very evident that magma has breached the cover and a new lava dome was found out at the summit. On that photo, you would see in front would be the jagged old dome of 2018 and the new dome this year. [next slide]
Now what do we look at to forecast the possible activity of the volcano? We look at earthquake, sulfur dioxide gas, and the ground motion to detect pressure.
Pagdating po sa earthquake hindi masyado po ang tinatawag na low frequency earthquake, which would signify the movement of the magma. Meaning, magma is moving slowly but not in a big volume. [next slide]
The sulfur dioxide has somewhat increased recently but the amount is not so significant yet. Meaning, we are better in this situation because the magma is not gas-rich. ‘Pag marami pong sulfur, mas delikado po. At mas explosive. Now because the magma is moving slowly, it can release the gas into the atmosphere and it does not retain the gas so hindi masyadong explosive. Mas delikado kung mayroong gas na marami at mabilis ang akyat ng magma. [next slide]
Now, this is the most important parameter. Ito po ‘yung tinatawag na tilt meter. There are three lines there arranged from lower elevation to higher elevation. When the magma is moving up, the line will go diagonally up. And if the magma has passed that certain elevation, the line will move diagonally down. So the VMLL, the lower slope there means that starting this year, the magma has already reached the middle part of the volcano that’s why it’s going down. But the middle part is inflating, namamaga. And then the upper level, ito pong VMCO at just below one kilometer above, ito po ay patuloy na umaakyat. Meaning, the magma is near the crater and is causing pressure on the volcano. So from this, we expect more lava flow to occur. So patuloy pa po. Hindi pa tumitigil ang eruption ng volcano. [next slide]
What would be the danger if the volcano would show explosive activity? The most important hazard map is the one on the left. It is the map showing the possible areas to be affected by uson or pyroclastic density current. There’s a solid red line there that’s the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. But if the volcano would explode, then that pink area beyond six can also be affected. That is why we may increase the evacuation area up to eight kilometers if we raise it to four.
So ‘yun po ‘yung ating binabantayan ngayon. If ever there are explosions, then the map on the right would tell us which areas will be affected by lahars during the rainy season. So pagkatapos ng eruption, bantay naman tayo sa lahar. [next slide]
So ito po ‘yung four possible scenarios and the conclusion is that whatever scenario the volcano will follow, the length of the eruption will be in terms of months. So our kababayans may have to stay for several months ‘no. Slightly less than two months to three months.
Slow lava dome, very short lava flow, it’s happening now. Few months of activity because the motion is slow. But if there is sustained but slow motion of lava, it can be similar to the 2006 eruption na lumagpas po sa 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. So mas matagal po ‘yan for a few months.
Now, if it’s also another eruption where gas is present in the magma, we can see fireworks, lava fountaining similar to the 2018 eruption. We can raise the alert level to four, but it’s not the most dangerous eruption. So we will make sure the people inside the 6-kilometers are out, but we can increase it to eight. The activity may last for a few months.
The worser case scenario that we have, similar to the 2000 eruption where the eruption column was more than 10 kilometers and the pyroclastic density current exceeded the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone. That is why nagi-increase tayo ng eight kilometers po. If this activity will occur, it can be a few days to several weeks ang duration.
So in conclusion, we have this activity, different scenarios that tell us na several weeks to months po ang tagal ng activity. So typically 15 days to three months.
That ends my presentation, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, Secretary Rene Solidum. The next presentation will be by Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno on the present activities of Mayon. Where is the Usec? Ah Usec, please go ahead.
OCD ADMINISTRATOR USEC. ARIEL NEPOMUCENO: Good afternoon po, Mr. President. We are here to report on the efforts being done by the national government servicing the more than 9,571 families already adversely affected. And out of which, 4,717 – ah 4,417 are being accommodated in our 22 evacuation centers.
They are, sir, from the 26 barangays adversely affected by the ongoing volcanic activities. And right now, with the whole-of-government approach, a total of P35 million in terms of direct assistance has already been given to the affected communities aside from the more than 10 million worth of non-food items delivered this morning to the governor.
And if you may allow us, Mr. President, we will show you some slides that will explain how will we be moving forward to address the concerns of our local government leaders so that we may address their concerns.
Our director from the ground, former general, retired general director Idio will be reporting on the details and highlight of what we will do moving forward.
OCD REGIONAL DIRECTOR CESAR IDIO: Mr. President, sir, let me present the updates on the following disaster events that is currently being monitored by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Operation Center as shown.
But in the interest of time, allow me, Mr. President, to go direct to the effects of the Mayon activity. [next slide]
So in the next slides, the effects of Mayon Volcano will be shown in details. So shown in the list are the 30 barangays in Albay within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone from the Mayon main crater. Note that families from 26 out of 30 barangays have been evacuated. [next slide]
Per reported effects as of 14 June 2023, a total of 9,571 families or 37,231 persons in 26 barangays were affected of which 4,417 families or 15,502 persons are currently staying inside evacuation centers, while 185 families / 659 persons are staying outside evacuation centers. These barangays are located in the municipalities of Camalig, Ligao, Daraga, Guinobatan, Malilipot, and Tabaco. [next slide]
So shown is the breakdown although it is not clear, Mr. President, of the affected population and data on inside and outside evacuation centers as reported by DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center on 14 June 2023.
And these are: the number of evacuation center used is 22, of which five are in Camalig; two are in Guinobatan; one in Ligao; three in Malilipot; four in Daraga; five in Tabaco; and two in Sto. Domingo.
Per reported effects as of 14 June 2023, suspension of classes were declared in the municipalities of Camalig, Daraga, Malilipot, Guinobatan, Ligao, and Tabaco in Albay.
Albay declared a state of calamity with Provincial Resolution No. 607-2023 issued on 09 June 2023.
A total of 217 [next slide] livestock (carabao, cattle, goat) were preemptively evacuated from Daraga and Malilipot, Albay. Next slide will show the evacuation photos of affected population. [next slide]
Let me apprise the President on the preparedness measures and response actions taken by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
As of 14 June 2023, a total of P33,640,000 worth of assistance was provided by DSWD, LGU, and private institutions to the eight municipalities in Albay broken down as shown on the screen. [next slide]
The list of actions undertaken by the National DRRM Council is as follows and as shown on the screen. [next slide]
So this is a photo taken meeting with Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman together with Albay local chief executives and DSWD Secretary and visit to the Regional DRRM Council Region V. [next slide]
DILG Secretary was briefed by OCD regarding Mayon Volcano Situation on 10 June 2023. The Department of Health First National Meeting on Mayon Volcano Preparedness and Response Operations as shown in the photo. [next slide]
Shown are the actions undertaken by the Regional DRRM Council. The next slide shows the available response assets from OCD Region V and the different agencies. There are a total of 1,154 personnel, 103 HADR teams, and 141 mobility vehicles available for deployment.
On standby funds and prepositioned relief stockpile for DSWD as shown is the table for that fund and prepositioned relief stockpile. Also, [next slide] the Department of Health logistical support totaled to P76.8 million as shown.
Okay, in the interest of time, Mr. President, allow me to present our ways forward. [next slide] So in our submitted PowerPoint, Mr. President, we revised our [next slide]… It’s my time to conclude my briefing, Mr. President, so let me just present our ways forward which was not indicated in the PowerPoint.
So these are the ways forward, Mr. President, one is: prepare for a long-term response actions for three months or more; a plan for logistics requirement needed for a long response; third, LGUs or local government units must undertake permanent relocation of residence within 6-kilometer permanent danger zone; and fourth, the need to request for additional evacuation centers to avoid disruption of classes.
So that’s all, Mr. President. That ends my presentation and for the detailed information on the latest updates on this incident, you may also refer to our NDRRM monitoring dashboard for your reference. The data may be accessed by scanning the QR code in this slide. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Secretary Teodoro of DND would like to add something.
DND SEC. GILBERT TEODORO: Mr. President, some of the cogent items that we need to report is that we have established and we are working on establishing smoother and quicker coordination between Governor Lagman and the national government agencies through the regional director of the OCD, Director Yucot.
And Director Solidum and myself were able to establish the minimum protocols with him. And we will work on this coordination in order to be the funneling point between and among the local government units and the national government. Number one, to provide for the logistics and number two, it’s to avoid duplication or wastage of assets.
Secondly, Mr. President, in addition to the water purification systems, the Philippine Navy has committed to provide a ship desalinator here to add to our potable water supply.
So, Mr. President, we will continue to work on smooth coordination and push logistics so that the supply of badly needed items like water and sanitation kits can be provided to the areas without the danger of wastage. Thank you, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, Secretary Gilbert. It’s always very important and I think those of you who have been with me to any of the other disaster areas that we have gone through is that we will make the coordination between local government and the agencies of national government close because that’s the only way, especially when very soon after the disaster has happened, the LGUs really take the brunt of the work pero kailangan bina-backup-an nang husto ng national government.
So I’m glad that we are paying attention to that. That is very important.
Very well, I think Gov. you have a report to give us? Yes, Governor Lagman, please.
ALBAY GOVERNOR EDCEL GRECO LAGMAN: Yes, thank you very much Your Excellency. But before I render my report, we just like to acknowledge the presence of our frontliners, our brave and industrious local chief executives. We are so lucky that the Chief Executive is present to witness how much work you have put in.
If you may indulge me, Mr. President, I would like to acknowledge the mayors from the three cities: from the City of Tabaco, we have here Honorable Mayor Krisel Lagman; from the City of Legazpi, we have here Mayor Gie Rosal; from the City of Ligao, we have former congressman and incumbent Mayor Fernando Gonzalez.
From the municipalities affected, Mr. President, we have Honorable Mayor Dinky Romano of Bacacay; Honorable Mayor Cenon Volante of Malilipot; Honorable Mayor Carlwyn Baldo of Daraga; Honorable Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo of Camalig; Honorable Mayor Jun Aguas of Sto. Domingo; and the mayor that you were together at the Mauraro Resettlement Area or school, Mayor Chino Garcia; we also have on board Congressman Didi Cabredo of the 3rd District of Albay.
My father would have wanted to be here, Mr. President, but he met a minor accident so he has a letter here which I will give to you in hand later on, Mr. President. So he extends his gratitude for your being present.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Very good.
GOV. LAGMAN: I would also like to take note of the fact that we have here Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma of the Department of Labor and Employment. Thank you so much, sir. Of course, Secretary Alfredo Pascual of the DTI. I think it’s very important to underscore, Mr. President, what we discussed earlier that we want a semblance of normalcy in our evacuation centers. And I think these two department – Cabinet members of yours would be very vital in our efforts.
And I attest to what Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. mentioned earlier that he will be the overall coordinating department and the same has been delegated to General Yucot of our Regional Director of the OCD. Kasi po talaga pong kinakailangan wala masyadong wastage dito.
And perhaps lang po to Secretary Rex Gatchalian who was here first in Albay. Maraming salamat po sa 102,000 family foods packs. Of course, to Secretary Benhur Abalos for having good relations like yourself, Mr. President, with the government of the United Arab Emirates. We have here Ambassador Mohamed Obaid Salem Al-Zaabi. Thank you very much for the 55 tons of food items from your country. It’s a big help to our province.
And to all the other Cabinet members, of course, Ariel Nepomuceno, the Director of the OCD, has given us three water filtration units because it’s very important that we focus on sanitation, of course, health and water issues. Because I think with respect to food, medyo, Mr. President, okay na po tayo.
So I’ll just keep this very short. This will be my presentation. [Okay next slide please]
Of course, Mr. President, we want to achieve zero casualty. This is our overarching goal. Just a chronology of events very short: on June 5, 2023, Mayon Volcano was placed on Alert Level 2. The following day, June 6, the PDRRMC issued an advisory prohibiting the entry within the 5-kilometer radius of Mayon Volcano. And just two days after, PHIVOLCS raised Mayon Volcano Alert Level 3. The Albay PDRRMC issued Advisory 14-2023, executing evacuation of residents and prohibiting entry inside the 6-kilometer radius.
Okay on June 9, a state of calamity was declared in the province. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Albay played a vital role by passing Resolution 0607-2023 and it has armed me, Mr. President, with a legal cover to actually access our quick response fund.
On June 11, evacuation of population inside the 6-kilometer radius zone was completed. One June 12, PDRRMC issued Advisory No. 15-2023, which was the preparedness status of population inside the 7-kilometer extended danger zone.
Mr. President, at present we are still at Alert Level No. 3. And we want to thank of course DOST Secretary Rene Solidum for being the science behind this effort. And as what he has mentioned earlier in the Sport, we expect a protracted, a rather protracted status quo in the next few days or weeks. [next slide]
Ito po ‘yung aerial view na kung saan po puwedeng dumaan ‘yung lava if ever po magkaroon ng full eruption. Okay I think those graphs speak for itself. [next slide]
Ito po, Mr. President, ‘yung dapat niyo pong malaman mayroon po tayong nine LGUs affected: three cities and six municipalities. And at present, ito po ‘yung latest 8,637 families are to be evacuated. There are 31 barangays affected and there are 33,326 individuals which have been evacuated or have to be evacuated. Ito po kasi po ‘yung figure kung sakali pong mag-alert Level 4 na. So we have an anticipatory response na po.
Okay, na-explain na po ‘yan kanina ni Secretary Solidum. Okay, seven LGUs evacuated. There are 25 evacuation centers, 23 barangays evacuated, 4,286 families evacuated, and 15,241 persons account for the families evacuated.
Alert Level 4 should it be raised to such. Ito po ‘yung maaapektuhan na mga pamilya: 8,637 families; 33,326 individuals; 47 schools would need to be commissioned as evacuation centers; and ito po ang importante nandito po ‘yung ating – well in concurrent capacity the Vice President is the DepEd Secretary ipapaabot po namin sa kanya ‘to, there will be 20,543 learners more or less affected. Most especially po, Mr. President, kung tumagal pa ‘to at tamaan po ‘yung pasukan this coming August, in August.
Okay, ito po ‘yung farmers na apektado: 1,462 farmers; 1,967 hectares of farmland; 26,731 various livestock. Current initiatives po ng aming probinsiya: mayroon po kaming adopt a family program. An executive order has been issued pursuant to the same.
Mayroon pong buyout scheme at farmgate prices para po sa farm produce and livestock from affected farmers. Ito po ay ipamimigay po namin sa mga evacuation centers para hindi naman po sila masyadong mapurga sa canned goods.
May provision of relief, food and non-food items; may provision health-water and sanitation to evacuation centers; may prepositioning po of vehicle and logistics mula po sa Provincial Engineer’s Office; at instituting the Disaster Response Desk.
Sa lahat po, nais po namin ilagay ‘to sa lahat ng evacuation centers para mabilis po ‘yung response namin. Tulad kanina po Mr. President napansin niyo mismo doon po sa Mauraro, kailangan ng ventilation. Mayor Chino, gagawin po natin ‘yan. ‘Yung kailangan niyo sa kuryente, mababa po ‘yung boltahe so kailangan po ng transformer galing sa Aleco. Ito po ‘yung kinakailangan po kung bakit mayroon kaming Disaster Response Desk sa lahat ng mga evacuation centers and this will be implemented at the soonest possible time, Mr. President.
Mayon Volcano Operation Disaster Response Requirements. Relief services in terms of food items at P500 per food pack. At 30 days po, P52,237,000 po ‘yung kinakailangan; 60 days, P104,475,000; and at 90 days po, P156,711,000.
Mayon Volcano Operation Disaster Response Requirements in terms of water and sanitation, five million pesos. Kami po kasi magbabayad sa mga evacuation centers ng kanilang mga bills. Health Emergency Services, medicines, transport, IEC, psychosocial care, and other supplies, 10 million pesos. Temporary Learning Spaces, 10 million pesos. Sa livestock evacuation naman po, we need 5 million pesos. At present we have allocated 1.5 million pesos doon po sa aming quick response fund. Sa logistics naman po, ‘yung sa fuel, communication and other operating expenses pegged at 5 million pesos. Emergency assistance, utility bills, school repair at 5 million pesos.
So, ang total po Mr. President and honorable Cabinet secretaries, P196,711,000 po ang kinakailangan for 90 days. Ito po ‘yung anticipated response po namin.
So, naka-input na diyan po ‘yung maaaring kailangan na gugulin na pera para po maging maayos po ‘yung aming response.
Ang QRF po namin of course is only 30 percent lang po ‘yung ginamit po for 2023 that amounts to P42,390,689.
We thought it was prudent to only allocate 30 million dahil kailangan po namin ng buffer in the amount of P12,390,000 and change para po kung saka-sakali magkaroon ng mga typhoon dahil typhoon season na po and for other calamities.
So, kung mapapansin po natin medyo maliit po ‘yung aming quick response fund at 30 million.
So, ito po ‘yung kinakailangan namin Mr. President for support, P166,711,000, total amount needed for support.
Of course, ito na po ‘yung post-scenario na kung saan po na-decamp na po ‘yung mga evacuees. Kailangan po natin ng mga land banking for relocation sites, 647,775 hectares are need at 75 square meters per family. Housing for relocation at 4.3 billion for 8,637 families.
Livelihood, economic, and social support.
Diyos Mabalos po, saindo gabos. Thank you very much po, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, Governor. I just have a quick question to ask. There are two reports here, in this page… Ito ‘yung nine na LGUs na affected. So, marami pa… We have only evacuated 4,286 of the 8,637?
GOV. LAGMAN: Yes. Ito po kasing figure na ‘to pag-ano na-increase na po ‘yung radius. So, ngayon po ito pa lang.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: So, this is only for the six kilometers?
GOV. LAGMAN: Opo.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay na tayo for six kilometers?
GOV. LAGMAN: Yes.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: All right. I understand. All right. Okay. I actually made a note for — from the other briefing which is validated by the calculation here for the 30 percent QRF for 2023 of the province. Is the estimate… LGU can only sustain 14 days of response with the 30 million? So, 14 days. They can only sustain the continuous support for the evacuees for 14 days.
So, if our working number. I think our working number should be 90 days. Mabuti na ‘yung matapos nang mas maaga kaysa sa anticipated kaysa mabitin naman ang ating bigay.
So, please take note of that. The province is already providing all of these — the 30 million. We will have to make up the difference for the continuing… In terms of, I supposed, food, non-food items, and all the other arrangements that we’re going to have to make.
The final figure of 166,711,000 is something that we can — tingnan natin where that is all supposed to go. Because ang estimates dito is in pesos. For example, the estimates here are — water and sanitation 5 million, health emergency 10 million. Let’s dig down on that.
How much is it really going to… We cannot just put aside 5 million. Tingnan talaga natin kung ano ‘yung kailangan. Baka naman kulang ito. Baka optimistic ang iyong mga estimate just to make sure. Let’s go into that in terms of the requirements that the evacuees are going to need.
So, I think for now it would be — we should be using 90 days as our working number for how much more we have to support. I think that the numbers that the governor has given us are a good guide already. But we have to go into further detail because it cannot be… Round numbers are never quite right. Sasabihin mo, 10 million ‘yan, lalabas it’s 11 million something or 9 million something. So, we have to get it absolutely right para measured and response natin.
Okay. We will just have to look into that. Okay. Thank you, Gov for your presentation. The next presentation will be done by Dir. Norman Laurio of DSWD. He is the Field Office Disaster Response Operation, Update on Mayon Volcano Alert Level 3. So, director if you would like to begin your presentation please.
DIR. LAURIO: Our beloved President, His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.; our very own DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian; Governor Lagman; other Cabinet secretaries present this afternoon. Here is our disaster operations update of the Field Office po — of the DSWD Field Office V.
So, this is the status of our cost of assistance. For now, it is [31] million worth of family food packs and 9,169 units of assorted NFIs or non-food items such as sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and family kits.
So, we have distributed a total of, as of 4 o’clock this afternoon, we have distributed a total of 44,000 FFPs to our LGUs.
So, ito po ‘yung ating stockpile family food packs. We have 106,353 FFPs in our warehouses and also we have 73,657,803 total of non-food items all in all. We have standby funds and stockpile of FFP and non-food items with a total of…
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Excuse me ha, Director. Do you have figures that are not in pesos? Can you give us figures on the actual number of hygiene kits were given in one place? How many food packs were given in one place?
Kasi pag nakalagay dito 5 million, ‘di mo alam what exactly it means. What’s important is the number, the amount of actual assistance that’s been given, not the value. The value is only important to us. What’s important to those who are — the evacuees is how many have actually been delivered.
DIR. LAURIO: It’s on the next slide, Mr. President.
SEC. GATCHALIAN: Mr. President, I’ll takeover briefly just to be concise about the question, the answer to your questions. Mr. President, yesterday, I handed you a report, it’s pretty much the next slide. Officially, after we met the Mayor and — the Provincial Governor and the mayors last Saturday. We all agreed that for the initial salvo, the department will shoulder 38,435 family food packs, of which I believe all of them have been deployed to the different LGUs already. The mayors are all nodding, so nasa kamay na nila ‘yun.
But, Mr. President, for the 45 days cycle, the share of the national government will be 76,870. So, that one is already on the ground and that will last us for 45 days. But given that you’ve said we should prepare for a 90-day cycle, the 90 days will require us 153,000 family food packs. Of which, it’s already on the ground as well. It’s in our storeroom in Field Office V. So, nandiyan na ho siya. So, ready to supply 153,000 family food packs, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, Secretary Rex. Okay. Thank you. That’s very informative. Director, please carry on.
DIR. LAURIO: So, ito po ‘yung action undertaken upon the directives of our Secretary. On June 5, Alert Level 2 was raised over in Mayon because of the Mayon Volcano volcanic activities. We immediately coordinated. We have a coordination meeting with the local chief executives, the Provincial Governor of Albay and other partner agencies to strategize and prepare action for response.
We have activated our Quick Response Team. We have fast-track the prepositioning of goods to possible affected municipalities and conducted an inspection of identified temporary warehouse for Mayon Operation.
We also visited the residents and farmers in 6km Permanent Danger Zone.
And after the Level 3 was raised, this was on June 8 onwards, we participated in the Inter-Agency Emergency Meetings relative to the raising of Alert Status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3. We conducted inspection of identified evacuation centers in various municipalities in Albay and with of course the LGUs, affected municipalities.
The Municipal Action Team, we assisted in the camp coordination and camp management, provision of food and non-food items and monitoring of IDPs.
And we continued the production of FFPs and non-food items in our regional warehouses. And of course, we have distributed, ‘yun po ‘yung sinabi po kanina ni Secretary, immediately, nag-distribute po tayo sa ating mga LGUs ng food items for 15 days period para po sa ating mga evacuees.
And of course, as part of preventive evacuation procedures. We had an immediate provision of FFPs to the local government units to help with planning and making of available resources to the evacuees.
And last Saturday, Secretary, our very own Secretary Rex Gatchalian immediately ordered the delivery of additional FFPs and non-food items in our three warehouses in Legazpi City.
But before that, pag-raise pa lang po ng Alert Level 3, nagbigay na po kaagad tayo ng initial na 12,000 family food packs sa lahat ng ating LGUs na apektado po nitong pag-alburoto ng Mayon.
And in coordination meetings, ‘yun po ‘yung sinabi ni Secretary kanina na ibiniba kaagad, dinistribute (distribute) ang ating mga pagkain.
And also, we personally distributed the family food packs to our affected families and individuals.
That’s all Mr. President. Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you very much. Secretary Rex, yes?
SEC. GATCHALIAN: The financial assistance package that the provincial government has also requested is already being processed. I spoke to the governor after your call last Sunday, and we agreed that they will furnish a list of beneficiaries and the timing as they want to start doing the financial assistance.
So, this should lessen the burden on the provincial government and the local government units in their cash requirements for the evacuees.
So, taking on from your instructions also, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Very good because we are getting to the point where they have, they need — some of the evacuees have different needs. So, they need the cash to be able to sustain those needs. All right. Thank you very much.
Let us move on now for. Sa amin naman, sa DA. Director Rodel Tornilla will give us a briefing on the effects on the agricultural sector.
DIR. TORNILLA: Thank you, Your Excellency, Mr. President. Fellow workers in government, magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. This is the pre-disaster situational report of the DA, Department of Agriculture.
As per our monitoring Mr. President, the prices and supply of our agricultural products and basic commodities is still stable. But once we observe na nagkaroon ng spike sa presyo since the local government unit of Albay declared a state of emergency, we could immediately impose a price freeze or price control sa ating mga basic and agricultural commodities.
So, we are monitoring the following under the permanent danger zones. So, more than 5,000 hectares of crop and around 52,000 heads of different animals.
Sila po ‘yung posibleng maapektuhan kapag nagkaroon ng eruption ‘yung ating volcano.
And aside from that, we are also monitoring around 55,000 hectares of coconut and 1,944 hectares of abaca that would possibly be affected ‘pag nagkaroon ng ashfall.
Then we are monitoring more than 40 hectares of inland fresh aquaculture na nagpo-produce po ng tilapia. So far, wala pa naman pong reports ng mga fish kill sa mga fish ponds na ‘yan.
In anticipation po sa rehabilitation pag natapos na ‘to at pinayagan na natin ang ating mga farmers na bumalik sa kanilang mga lupa, mayroon na tayong naka-position na mga items para sa immediate rehabilitation ng maapektuhan na mga agriculture areas, totaling to about 35.5 million pesos.
So, ito po ready. Naghihintay lang tayo na matapos na ang pag-aalburoto ng Mayon.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Can you just clarify for me something? Pag nakalagay dito sa ilalim, dito vulnerable areas, tinamaan na ito?
DIR. TORNILLA: Hindi pa po, Mr. President. Sila po ‘yung posibleng tamaan kapag nagtuloy-tuloy ang pag-alburoto ng Mayon.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Wala pa tayong figures doon sa mga talagang tinamaan?
DIR. TORNILLA: Wala pa po, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: O, sige. Again, that’s why — general figures are okay but we need specifics para maka-ano tayo.
I guess we’ll have to wait. Para ‘yung mga tao natin puwede na silang umikot at mag-inspeksyon kung anong naging damage pa.
So, anyway. We have an idea kung ilan ang at risk. Madami-dami din ito. So, let us continue to assess kung ano ba ang talagang damage both for the livestock, corn, coconut, rice.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes, Mr. President. Ma-assess natin ‘yan kapag pinayagan na tayo makabalik doon sa permanent danger zone.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Pero ‘yun ang kailangan natin para makahanda tayo kung ano talaga ‘yung ibibigay natin.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes, sir.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. Thank you. Yes, carry on please.
DIR. TORNILLA: So, so far ito po ‘yung mga actions na ginagawa natin ngayon. We have established livestock evacuation sites or temporary shelter for animals at our Research Outreach Stations in Tabaco and Camalig. This in addition doon sa mga livestock evacuation centers and pooling places na in-establish ng ating partner local government units.
So, as of today, we have counted 30 livestock evacuation centers na inestablish ng ating mga local government units.
Then we are providing drugs and biologics para sa ating mga animals. Nag-iikot po ang ating mga vets and animal science majors to ensure na nasa magandang kalagayan ‘yung ating mga nasa evacuation centers na mga hayop.
Then, we are providing plastic covering para doon sa mga vegetable areas na posibleng maapektuhan pag nagkaroon ng ashfall.
Kasama din po dito Mr. President is ang pag-establish natin ng regular Kadiwa ng Pangulo doon sa mga areas na malapit sa evacuation centers para magkaroon ng chance na makabili ng murang basic goods and commodities ang ating mga evacuees.
And then we have also, we are now in the process of providing training on alternative livelihood sa ating mga evacuees katulad ng pag-aalaga ng rabbit, pagtatanim ng cash crops doon sa ating evacuation centers to ensure na kahit na wala sila sa kanilang mga farms, mayroon pa silang livelihood doon sa evacuation centers.
So, we have establish a command center sa ating Research Outreach Station sa Camalig, Albay and we are monitoring the situation 24 hours together with our partners sa local government units.
So, ito po ‘yung mga identified na mga livestock evacuation centers ng ating mga local government unit partners.
Ito po ‘yung mga identified.
So, around 30 na po ‘yan. And as of yesterday, the figure na na-monitor natin and na-document na mga livestock na mga evacuation centers is 127. But the updated figure is, as reported by OCD kanina, as of today is nasa 217 animals na po ang nasa evacuation centers natin.
So, ‘yan po ang tinitingnan natin para to ensure na walang mada-damage, walang mamamatay na animals if magpatuloy pa ang pag-aalburoto ng Mayon.
So, Diyos Mabalos po saindo gabos.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: ‘Yung ating mga sites kung saan natin nilalagay ‘yung mga livestock. Maayos naman? We are testing for the different diseases, for avian flu, for swine flu.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes sir, actually ‘yung mga…
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Kasi we have to be careful baka mayroon isa diyan na may sakit, eh baka magkalat doon sa mga… Kasi marami silang nagsasama doon sa area na ‘yun. Bantayan natin ‘yun. At baka may mahanap nga tayo, we can do something about it kaagad.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes, sir. Yes, Mr. President. Actually, ‘yung mga veterinarians natin, regularly nag-iikot sila and mino-monitor ‘yung kalagayan ng ating mga animals.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: We are also providing, sa DA, we are also providing parang pang-livelihood, ‘yung vegetable planting na ginagawa para sa mga evacuees.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes, sir. Mayroon po tayo.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: I know that we have that — I approved taking of that action.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes, sir. Mayroon po tayo.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Because right now, it is the province and the municipality who is — they are buying. Naghahati-hati sila. Binibili ‘yung produkto pero hindi na tatagal ‘yan. They will come to a point that we will have to either bring in vegetables.
And maganda ‘yan, we will start growing vegetable. Baka tumagal pa ito at least may ginagawa ‘yung atin mga evacuees.
DIR. TORNILLA: Yes, sir. Yes sir.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
DIR. TORNILLA: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you everyone.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: All right. The next presentation will be given to us by Director Zenaida Campita of DOLE and it will be on the assistance that DOLE has provided to the Mayon-affected workers. So, Director, if you would like to proceed…
DIR. CAMPITA: Mr. President…
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes, please go ahead.
DIR. CAMPITA: With the presence of our honorable Secretary, Sec. Benny Laguesma; department officers; of course, fellow workers in government. May we present the department’s assistance to our affected workers.
Nakalagay po diyan ‘yung ating amount of assistance. They will be engaged in Tupad for the longest period of 30 days. Ang mga work program na gagawin po nila magtatanim through courtesy of DA ‘yung seedlings, community gardening, nearest the evacuation center. They will also assist in the maintenance and housekeeping of evacuation sites and also they will also assist in food preparation para hindi po sila ma-bore during their stay in evacuation center.
Magtatrabaho po sila na may suweldo for a period of 30 days. Mag-uusap po kami ng DSWD and DA para po magkasunuran ang aming assistance.
So for the 4,286 families, one family member will be engaged in our TUPAD, magkakaroon po sila ng suweldo na 10,950 for a period of 30 days at nagtatrabaho po sila sa loob ng panahong iyan.
Iyan po ang aming humble assistance to the evacuees, in our evacuation center. Marhay na banggi sa gabos.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, Director. Mukhang mayroong – pareho ‘yung idea ng DA at saka ng DOLE dito sa vegetable gardening, tapos may work-for-cash dito, ‘yung maintenance and – of the evacuation centers, sa DOLE pala ‘yan.
Okay. Thank you. The next presentation would be given us by the Director Vera of the Department of Health on what the department has been doing in response to the Mayon situation. Director Vera, please proceed.
DOH REGION V REGIONAL DIRECTOR ERNIE VERA: Magandang gabi po, Mr. President, and sa lahat po ng ating mga kasama po rito. And I acknowledge po the presence of our chief of staff, Undersecretary Gloria Balboa po from the Department of Health.
So basically po [next slide please] Okay.
Under the public health and medical response, we have established health stations in evacuations centers; mobilized 167 HRH in evacuation centers; established fast lanes, and no balance billing, and medical assistance for indigent patients in hospitals; delivered assorted medicines and facemasks in evacuation centers; and we have implemented intensified disease surveillance system. Presently po this was implemented three days ago and right now po we found 97 consultations na po within our — within the identified evacuation centers.
And aside from that po, Secretary Herbosa called an emergency meeting po last Sunday that was June 11 and gave us guidance on the operations po of the Department of Health in relation with Mayon eruption.
With regards to sanitation and hygiene: assessed sanitation facilities of evacuation centers; distributed jerry cans and hygiene kits; conducted water quality monitoring of water sources; WASH cluster members support in the provision of WASH services such as drinking water and domestic waste – domestic water. Basically po the members of the WASH are the Provincial Engineering Office of the province, the Philippine Red Cross, the Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Public Highways, the Provincial Health Office of Albay, and of course DSWD po.
With regards to nutrition and the mental health psychosocial services: field monitoring of DOH Bicol Center for Development and National Nutrition Council and other cluster members; assessed nutritional status of children, especially those with malnutrition and — severe malnutrition and mild— acute malnutrition; pregnant and lactating women screened using MUAC tape; MHPSS team, on deployment today in identified health centers.
Regarding logistics po, a total of 3.4 million of logistics, this is basically assorted medicines, jerry cans, hygiene kits, facemasks, heavy-duty cot beds, collapsible water containers, were mobilized to the Provincial Health Office and eight MLGUs.
The two… We have requested 2.5 million from the Central Office and they already gave it to us and presently we are again requesting for augmentation from the Central Office. This is in preparation for the possible increase in the alert level from 4 to 5.
Bicol says this is – sees to itself that we should be at least two or three steps ahead of this disaster.
Maraming salamat ho, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you very much. Just a few questions, sa WASH analysis ninyo, ano ang kulang? I think sa water – water supply, medyo maganda na mayroon na tayong maraming plano para sa water supply.
‘Yung sa sanitation at saka sa hygiene parang I remem – noong dinaanan namin ‘yung isang evacuation center parang kulang pa ang ating mga provisions.
So ano pa ang kulang na kailangan pa nating idagdag para maging maayos ang sanitation and hygiene na requirements ng mga evacuees? Ano pa ang kulang? Ito ‘yung report mo ‘yung ginawa na natin. Ano ‘yung kailangan pa nating gawin?
DIR. VERA: Iyong, Mr. President, to the part of the Department of Health po, what we need po is the reagents po. Kasi what we plan now is every twice a week po, we have to examine the water from the evacuation centers po twice a week po.
We have to examine the source and the end point ng tubig po ng tubig. So that’s why we are requesting our mother office from the Central Office for augmentation of funds to procure reagents para po magamit dito.
This is one way po of preventing untoward effect kung sakali man pong ma-contaminate ‘yung tubig. Huwag ho – as much as possible sa Department of Health, we don’t want to have an outbreak of the aerial diseases in each evacuation centers po.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: All right, okay. Thank you, Director. Now we move on to DILG briefing from Director Escober, who is the head for Bicol, for Region V. Director Escober, would you like to go ahead with your presentation, please.
DILG REGION V REGIONAL DIRECTOR ATTY. ARNALDO ESCOBER JR.: Mr. President, in behalf of our secretary, Atty. Benhur Abalos Jr., we… Because of our history of the Mayon Volcano and Bulusan Volcano, we developed this disaster preparedness manual called as the “Protocols for Volcanic Eruption.” And these protocols for volcanic eruption contains the minimum critical preparedness that we require from each LGU from the province level down to the city and municipal levels.
This volcanic eruption manual was developed way back in November – in November 2021, Mr. President. So this is our monitoring tool in order that the LGUs, the Province of Albay, the nine affected cities and municipalities: Bacacay, Camilig, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, Daraga, Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Tabaco City, and Ligao City are complying with the manual.
This manual was developed through workshop with the partner agencies the PHIVOLCS, OCD, the provincial DRRMO of Sorsogon and Albay, and other NDRRMO of Mayon — within Mayon Volcano and Bulusan Volcano.
So in the interest of time, Mr. President, in every alert level we have this minimum critical preparedness measure that we monitor if these LGUs are complying.
In the interest of time, I will just be showing the minimum critical preparedness measures that we monitored for Alert Level No. 3 for the Province of Albay. The previous slide, please.
Ito po, Mr. President, ‘yung na-monitor namin na dapat ginawa po ng Province of Albay. Lahat na po siya check.
There are 10 critical preparedness measures that we monitored and all of those are accomplished by the PDRRMC of Albay.
Among which is the evacuation stage in the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), including the preparedness stage in the extended HRZ- High-Risk Zone in the southeast quadrant, which includes the municipality of Daraga, Sto. Domingo, and the City of Legazpi City.
In the next slide, Mr. President, ito naman po ‘yung minimum critical preparedness measures that we monitored dito po sa siyam na LGUs, cities, and municipalities.
Nakita po namin dito, dito sa 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 slides, lahat po ng LGUs naka-comply na po diyan, ‘yung pag-evacuate po ng mga population nila within the 6-kilometer radius permanent danger zone.
Dito po sa isa, ‘yung conduct of press briefing, siguro ‘yung kulang na lang dito ‘yung LGU ng Bacacay, hindi po yata pa nakapag-conduct ng press briefing.
Dito naman sa another measure, ‘yung evacuation of population in the areas declared under state of calamity, seven lang po ang nag-comply dito kasi po ‘yung Legazpi City and Bacacay, wala na po talagang residents doon sa 6-kilometer radius zone. So wala na po talaga ‘yung Legazpi City and Bacacay. So there is nobody na puwede pang i-evacuate doon.
And last po, ‘yung state of calamity na na-declare na po. Tapos na po mag-declare ‘yung province and mayroon na pong apat na LGUs na nag-decalre ng state of calamity.
We are just hoping that other — the five other LGUs will also declare a state of calamity doon po sa affected areas po nila.
Now, as a way forward po, kami po sa DILG, ina-alert na po namin, nagpalabas na po kami ng advisory regarding po sa Alert Level 4 na critical preparedness measure.
So, nagpalabas na po kami ng advisory sa 10 LGUs including the Province of Albay kung ano po ‘yung gagawin nila na dapat gawin nila sa kanilang mga jurisdictions.
Ito po ‘yun 10 indicators po ‘yan. Sampung critical preparedness measures. Separate po ‘yung in the next slide, ito naman po ‘yung indicators naman para sa mga cities and municipalities, sa nine cities and municipalities po ng Province of Albay.
Ang actions taken po ng DILG [next slide], nag-activate po kami ng Regional and Provincial Emergency Operation Center para tulungan po ang ating mga pa — ang ating mga DRRMCs, and we have this close coordination with the Central Office, with the Secretary, and operations center in the Central Office. And we provide situation reports and along with the coordinated meetings with RDRRMC and LGUs.
Ito ‘yung ayaw natin sanang mangyari, ‘yung pag-convene po ng – pag-activate po ng MDM clusters, ‘yung the dead and missing cluster. Ayaw po nating gawin ito. But as protocol, we really have to activate and mayroon na po kaming target date para po i-convene or i-activate ang MDM clusters.
Nagkaroon po kami ng mga issuances pa and mayroon pong dala si Secretary Abalos noong nakaraang araw po, Mr. President, na 12 boxes ng facemask at nai-turnover na po namin sa Albay Provincial Government para po kung sakali magamit natin sa mga evacuation centers. And mayroon pa pong parating na facemasks na more than 7,000 from the Central Office. Coming po siya tomorrow and we will also turnover it sa provincial government.
And we also – hindi ko po nailagay po diyan ‘yung coordination po namin para po doon sa na-facilitate po ni Secretary Abalos doon sa food packs na na-donate po sa atin from the royal family ng United Arab Emirates.
‘Yun lang po, Mr. President. Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you. Secretary Benhur, may idadagdag ka?
DILG SEC. BENHUR ABALOS JR.: Mr. President, if I might add, by tomorrow lunch probably, there will be 60 machines, these are filtration machines that would be needed at the – from the Metro Manila Development Authority with personnel, including personnel. Probably there are about 60 personnel with the machines that you could deploy all over Albay, Mr. Governor. Just to report, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Thank you, Secretary Benhur. Thank you, Director. Ang that is – those are the presentations that are – that we will have for today.
Let me just make a few comments. I think that the response that we have put together is satisfactory. That we were able to prepare and we were able to achieve so far ‘yung sinasabi ng province that walang casualty, patuloy natin. We will follow that principle in everything that we are doing.
I just wanted to take note once again of the capability of the province for the quick response funds. Kailangan ‘yung 14 days huwag na nating paabutin ng 14 days. Huwag na nating ubusin ‘yung pera ng LGU. Kung puwede na tayong pumasok, pumasok na tayo and take the load off the province and take the load off the municipalities because very limited lang naman ‘yan.
Ang hihingiin lang namin sa mga chief executives is that tulungan niyo na lang kami to identify the areas na critical, na priority. Kayo ang magsasabi sa amin kung saan dapat unahin, gaano karami, all of that kasi kayo ang nakakaalam doon sa situation on the ground.
And but — and also we — I bring up the funding for the quick response because mukha talagang the working numbers for 45 days, which means the minimum is 45, minimum is going to be 45 days and possibly it will be 90 days. We’re talking six weeks, we’re talking to six weeks to 12 weeks. This is not a short time.
Which brings me to my next point, wala tayong inano – anong gagawin noong mga evacuee kung tatlong buwan talaga silang kailangan maiwan doon sa evacuation center? At may note din dito na ‘yung DepEd sinasabi kailangan na nilang gamitin ‘yung eskuwelahan nila. So what are we going to do? We have to think in the longer term.
The other point that I wanted to bring up are the children. Kasi nung pumunta kaming evacuation center, ang daming bata. Siguro may – hindi naman puwedeng basta’t walang ginagawa na naman ‘yung mga bata. I was thinking na we can hold classes for them during the — while they are evacuated. Magpatu… Or kung hindi man lang kahit na playschool man lang or something para may ginagawa ‘yung mga bata. Kasi kung hindi magkakasakit lang ‘yan eh, naka-standby lang sila, walang ginagawa.
So magpatulong tayo siguro sa mga NGO na nag-aalaga ng bata and we’ll ask them to come and maybe they can do something. DepEd might be able to conduct classes for the — ‘yung medyo grade school na. Puwede na sila mag-ano…
But again the — may pasok ngayon so we have to think hard about what do we do about the schooling of the children para naman hindi maiwanan. Kasi three months parang you missed already the half of the year. Maiiwanan, kawawa naman ‘yung mga bata. At saka para mayroon silang ginagawa. Alam naman natin pagka ‘yung mga bata kailangan marami silang interesting na nakikita na ginagawa. Hindi sila puwedeng naiiwan lang doon.
There is a mental health aspect to that na hindi natin dapat kalimutan.
So those are the essential things that I think that we are – I see from the presentations that you have made.
Let us be prepared to take as much of the load as soon as possible off of the local government units para naman mayroon silang – malay natin magkabagyo pa, may mangyari pa para mayroon silang reserba pa. Hindi natin uubusin ‘yung kanilang quick response fund, number one.
Number two, we should use as a working number a minimum of 45 days. The 45 days to 90 days comes from both the science of DOST and the experience of the locals. Noong tinatanong natin sa kanila “usually papaano ito?” Iyon na nga 45 to 90 days. Kaya’t iyon ang gagamitin natin na working number.
Pangatlo, we have to give some activity – baka makapagbigay tayo… I don’t know what livelihood or something para mayroon naman silang ginagawa, mayroon naman silang pinagkakakitaan, at lalo na ‘yung mga bata. Isipin natin ‘yung mga bata. What can we do with them? Maybe DepEd can help us, maybe the NGOs can help us.
So that active naman sila doon at hindi lang nag-aantay ng araw-araw na walang ginagawa. That is not a small issue.
DEPED REGION V REGIONAL DIRECTOR GILBERT SADSAD: His Excellency, Honorable Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this is Gilbert Sadsad, Regional Director of DepEd Region V.
Relative to what you are saying about the activities to be done by our schoolchildren while they are in the evacuation center. Actually, we devise schemes on how they can continue their learning in one of the evacuation center. The scheme adopted in the morning, the original occupant of the school will do the classes and in the afternoon, the evacuees will do the classes. Others, we shifted to modular distance learning.
And before we end this – or during the vacation, because we will have our closing by July 10-14, we will be having a learning camp where we will provide intervention and enrichment activities for those children in the evacuation center. That’s what we will do, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: That’s good news. I’m glad to hear that. That was something that came to mind while I was walking around the evacuation center.
And the last point is what are we going to do because one a half months to three months is a long time na ginagamit natin ang facilities ng DepEd. Will we move the evacuees at some point? Ano ba ang plano natin?
We have to have a plan because the other kids have to go back to school, they have to use the school na ginawa nating evacuation center. Anong gagawin natin doon sa mga evacuees? Is it possible, for example, to keep them there and have classes in the actual school?
DIR. SADSAD: Mr. President, the Central Office with the leadership of our Secretary, they have already sourced out some [Anong tawag doon?] tarapal, temporary learning shelter or spaces that will be given by the UNICEF and it will be set up sa mga evacuation centers. That’s one.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: So you will be able to conduct classes in the schools?
DIR. SADSAD: Yes, oo.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Magagamit niyo naman ‘yung mga eskuwelahan?
DIR. SADSAD: Yes po. As what happened in the past, there are temporary learning spaces set up in the schools.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Because what’s going to happen from here forward mag-aantay lang talaga tayo kung anong mangyari, kung anong gawin ng bulkan. Kung mabawasan na ang putok o kung hindi pa naman pumuputok pero kung mabawasan ang lava flow, kung mabawasan ang emitting of gases, at how long it will take for us to normalize the situation.
So in the meantime, kailangan natin paghandaan the assistance of course, and then of course the livelihood ng mga evacuees, and then the schooling of the children. So I think those are the main points.
But I have to say so far from listening to the presentations, maganda naman ang coordination ng province, ng mga municipality, ng cities sa mga national agencies. Let’s keep that going.
That will maximize the resources that we can apply to this problem. And then let’s develop all of those ideas that we have talked about here today so that we can implement them as soon as possible.
In my mind I’m assuming that it is 45 days to 90 days. So we have to already plan ahead. Huwag natin antayin na nasa 14 days, ay naubos na ‘yung sa province, naubos na ‘yung pera na galing sa municipality. So huwag na nating antayin, paghandaan na natin all of these things that we talked about.
DIR. SADSAD: Mr. President…
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Oh, you have some more? You have some more for us? Okay.
DIR. SADSAD: We were assured that the Central Office will download fund for the production of modules so that we can use that during the first quarter of SY 2023-2024 and they will also download some amount for the minor repair of those affected schools by this Mayon eruption.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Very good. All right, I think that is… Mga mayor, is there anything else that you will — ? Mayroon ba kayong gustong idagdag? Kayo ang nasa frontline kaya kailangan pakinggan namin kung ano ‘yung pangangailangan ninyo.
TABACO MAYOR CIELO KRISEL LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Mr. President, una sa lahat po vina-validate namin ‘yung mga sinabi ng inyong mga secretary. Talaga pong nakarating na sa amin ‘yung ayuda and maganda po talaga ang coordination between the local government, provincial government, and our regional offices.
And napakaganda po ng pakiramdam dahil hindi lang naman po ang kailangan namin ‘yung ayuda kung hindi ‘yung feeling na nariyan ang national government para tulungan kami. So that will really keep us going.
Isang concern din po ng mga LGUs ito pong bilang na pinag-uusapan natin ay ‘yung mga nasa 6 kilometers pa lang. Iyong ayuda na ibibigay ng TUPAD naka-compute po siya sa presenteng nasa evacuation center. Ang tanong ko lang po eh baka magkumparahan po ito ‘pag nag-expand tayo to the seven or even to eight. Masu-sustain pa po ba ang TUPAD ng DOLE para ma-cover ‘yung ibang mga families na mage-evacuate?
Katulad rin po ‘yan nung gagawin ng DSWD, Secretary Rex, ‘yung 5,000 po kasi hindi namimili ‘yun eh. Maging solo ka lang sa pamilya, tatlong miyembro, lima, walo, pare-pareho po ang computation 5,000. Ang tanong ko po ay maaari kaya ‘yan na ma-sustain kung lulobo tayo sa 25-35,000 families?
So another po, ‘yung food palagay ko mukhang kakayanin po between the provincial and the DSWD. Iyong mga problema po sa QRF, hindi lang po ‘yun problema ng province. At hindi lahat ng LGUs created equal – equally. So like for instance, for Malilipot, si Mayor Cenon, ang QRF niya lang po ay 2.3 million, very small municipality.
Sa ngayon po, 900 na ang kanyang familia. Pero mayroon din naman pong medyo nakakaangat katulad ng mga cities like ako po sa Tabaco, 12.7 million po ang QRF namin, at mayroon din naman mas mataas. Sto. Domingo nasa 2.4 million lang po pero lumulobo na si Mayor Aguas ng 1,300 families.
So kung titingnan po kasi sabi ni Secretary Abalos noong bumisita siya, ano ba ang threshold ng mga LGUs? Hanggang kailan ba pupuwede niyong ma-sustain ‘yung operations?
Sa ganito pong mga bilang, isa pa lang po itong kalamidad – volcanic eruption. Marami pa po kaming kalamidad towards the end of the year. Mr. President, alam ko naiintindihan niyo po ito.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yeah, that’s exactly I was talking about. Yes. Sige, we take note… Mabuti pare-pareho naman – mukhang pare-pareho ang iniisip natin.
That’s why these lump sum numbers ‘yung pinakita na 5 million, 10 million tingnan talaga natin ‘yan and exactly iba-iba ang sitwasyon ng bawat bayan, iba-iba ‘yung iba’t ibang lungsod, at saka of course the province as a whole. So tama ang mga…
Dapat ‘yung mga response natin is appropriate to the conditions of that family, of that town. Iyon lang. Mabuti naman ‘yung ating Secretary ng DSWD mayor dati ‘yan eh kaya naintindihan niya lahat ng mga isyu na binabanggit ninyo.
Ako naman governor ako dati kaya naintindihan ko lahat ng isyu na sinasabi mo. So we will look into that and make sure that our response is measured and appropriate to the situation on the ground.
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Mr. President, since naririto na po kayo and kayo rin po ang concurrent Secretary ng Agriculture.
Ang atin pong mga evacuees, mga farmers po ito. Nagtatanim po sila sa slopes ng Mayon Volcano. Sa isang barangay po namin, mga 311 farmers po sila and noong nag-Alert Level 2, hindi na sila mai-insure ng PCIC, ng Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
Nakapagtanim pa lang po sila. Ngayon nakapag-invest sila ng around P40,000 per hectare para po sa labor, pag-cultivate doon. Ngayon po pinagbabawalan na natin sila bumalik sa farms nila.
‘Yung mga naka-insure naman before nag-Alert Level 2 baka makakuha sila ng insurance but when I called PCIC ang sabi nila ay titingnan namin kung ‘yung ashfall at ‘yung volcanic activity ay naka-affect sa kanilang crops.
Pero, Mr. President, hindi na nga natin sila pinapabalik doon eh and ibig sabihin mapapabayaan talaga nila ‘yung kanilang mga pananim.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes, because it’s a danger area. It’s almost impossible to ensure the areas around — mag-provide ng crop insurance around a volcano. Kaya walang mag-insure niyan kasi sasabihin malamang masisira ‘yan kasi puputok ‘yung bulkan.
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: But they are insuring, sir.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Mayroon din pero hindi natin makapag – hindi tayo makapagbigay sa lahat ng ano…
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: So kung hindi po ‘yung insurance, ang hirap kasi ma-entice sila to stay in the evacuation center na grabe ang investment nila. So…
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Are they part of an insurance plan now?
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Yes. Yung RSBSA? Yes, kasama po sila doon.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Mayroon, so ano’ng problema?
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Hindi po lahat insured.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: May?
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Hindi po lahat sila na-insured kasi ‘pag nag-Alert Level 2 hindi na talaga and we understand that, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Ang problema hindi natin mahingian ang insurance company ng insurance kung hindi sila kasama sa plano. If I’m not holding an insurance policy, I cannot claim insurance. Eh hindi nga ako nagpa-insure eh.
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Opo, sir. Ang sinasabi ko po, sir, doon sa mga hindi insured, kailangan natin po sanang matulungan sila.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Totoo ‘yan, yeah, pero ‘wag natin… Huwag tayong nakatingin sa insurance dahil unang-una, ang premium, I’m sure — hindi ko pinag-aralan in detail pero from my experience, ang premium magiging premium dito sa danger area medyo may kataasan.
Simply because high-risk area talaga at nangyayari — very likely na may mangyayari na ganito magkaroon ng similar situation ulit kaya’t tataas ang premium ninyo. At the same time, kung hindi tayo nakapagpa-insure na, ay wala na tayong mahihingi sa insurance company.
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Totoo po.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: So it will come back to the help that we can provide doon sa ating mga farmers. Siguro pag-ahon na lang nila.
And maganda ‘yung programa, pinaghatian ninyo ng province at saka ng municipality na bilhin na lang ang produkto para ‘yun ang gamitin din para ipakain sa mga municipalities.
So we have to come up with these schemes because hindi natin puwedeng basta’t sasabihin magbabayad ng insurance, wala, huli na. We cannot claim anything if we have not been part of a policy.
MAYOR LAGMAN-LUISTRO: Yes. Yes, hindi po ‘yun ‘yung… Sorry po sir, baka hindi po ako naintindihan.
Ang sinasabi ko po, ‘yung mga nakapag-insure before nag-Alert Level 2, ang magiging basis po ng insurance para maka-claim sila sa insurance is kung na-damage ‘yung crops nila ng ashfall, et cetera.
Pero ngayon po hindi natin sila pinababalik sa farms nila kaya siyempre mapapabayaan nila ‘yung mga pananim nila and mamamatay ‘yun. Noong tinanong ko ‘yung PCIC ang sabi po nila, nung in-abandon ‘yun hindi ‘yun magiging bahagi ng — hindi sila makakapag-claim.
Ang ano ko lang po, baka pupuwedeng mas maging lenient ang policy ng PCIC doon sa mga nakapag-insure prior to the raising of the alert level to Level 2.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Yes, but once again. You have to be already insured. Hindi natin sila puwede — ‘pag sinabi nila na hindi nila ma-asses so hindi nila… Ang asahan na lang ninyo is assistance from the government. Huwag na ‘yung crop insurance dahil masyadong mahirap talaga.
Kasi isipin natin, kung tumigil ang alburoto ng Mayon today, at saka lang papasok— titingnan nila, ia-asses pa nila ‘yan kung ano ‘yung damage. Tapos titingnan nila kung sino ‘yung puwedeng bayaran. Eh ang insurance company siyempre pag-aaralan pa nila ‘yun, iisa-isahin nila ‘yan. So matagal pa ‘yan.
So kami naman that’s what the DA will come in, diyan kami papasok para maka… Kung nakapag-ani na, mag-replant o kung nasira talaga mag-replant ulit, mag-provide kami ng inputs and all of these other things na ‘yung ginagawa ng DA. So doon na lang natin kunin.
Okay. All right. Is there anything else?
All right. Thank you very much, everyone. Maraming salamat. Keep up the good work [applause] at we have to take care of all our evacuees. Maraming salamat. [applause]
— END —
SOURCE: PCO-PND (Presidential News Desk
