President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate clearing of roads in areas affected by the recent eruption of Mayon Volcano in Albay to prevent disruptions to daily activities and assist those impacted by ashfall. He said the thoroughfares would be open by Monday. Government agencies responded quickly to minimize the ashfall's effects.
During the opening of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway Subsection 3 in General Trias, Cavite, Marcos told reporters, “Right now, we have to clean the roads because of the ashfall.”
He said the Department of Public Works and Highways, led by Secretary Vince Dizon, is working to open all thoroughfares. “And I think we’ll be able to say that the thoroughfares will be open perhaps by today (Monday),” the President stated. Dizon visited Albay over the weekend to check on residents after Mayon's strombolian eruption last Saturday.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development immediately provided food and basic needs, while the Department of Health continued distributing face masks. Albay Gov. Noel Rosal informed Marcos that all needs of affected residents have been met. “The first concern of course was the health concerns. And we were able to bring out the people who were in the danger area. We were able to provide them with medical attention,” Marcos said.
More than 100,000 residents have been affected, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, particularly in Camalig and Guinobatan. Coast Guard District Bicol assisted in clearing operations in Guinobatan and sent a water desalinator producing over 10,000 liters of potable water daily. Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said Phivolcs will not raise the alert level from 3 to 4, as no such signs have appeared.
