Thousands affected by Bulusan’s eruption

MANILA, Philippines — The number of families affected by the phreatic eruption of Bulusan volcano in Sorsogon has increased to thousands, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported yesterday.

Data from the DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center showed that 3,280 families or 16,400 people were affected by Bulusan’s unrest as of Wednesday, a big jump from the previous day’s tally of 119 families or 409 people.

The affected residents are from 11 barangays in Juban and Irosin.

Irene Dumlao, DSWD Social Marketing Service officer-in-charge, said the department is monitoring the situation in the affected areas to ensure relief supply augmentation.

The DSWD had earlier said the DSWD field office in Bicol has more than P5 million in standby funds, food items amounting to more than P11 million and non-food items worth more than P44 million. There are also 24,000 family food packs available in its warehouses in Legazpi City, Masbate City and Catanduanes.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (NDRRMC) said more than 100 families in evacuation centers have been sent home.

Five volcanic earthquakes were recorded around Bulusan yesterday. Plumes that rose 250 meters were also observed.

The NDRRMC reminded the public to be prepared for possible phreatic explosions as Bulusan remains under Alert Level 1.

Meanwhile, Philippine Red Cross chairman Sen. Richard Gordon said the PRC has assisted 1,687 affected residents in Juban.

He said the PRC continues to monitor the situation and would provide the necessary assistance to affected residents. – Emmanuel Tupas, Ralph Edwin Villanueva