Albay gov. urges residents to wear N95 masks amid Mayon Volcano activities

Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman on Tuesday called on residents to wear N95 masks to keep themselves safe from the effects of the ashfall brought about by Mayon Volcano’s activities.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, the governor said that Albay is in need of supply of N95 masks as five out of the nine municipalities required to evacuate have already reported ashfall.

“Kailangan mas maingat ‘yung ating kasamahan na Albayano by wearing masks. N95 grade masks po ang kinakailangan because the sulfur dioxide content in the air medyo tumaas ang levels and this can actually cause…exacerbate itong may mga respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, etc.,” Lagman said.

(The Albayanos need to be more careful by wearing masks. N95 grade masks are required because the sulfur dioxide content in the air has slightly increased and this can actually cause or exacerbate respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, etc.)

He, however, pointed out that wearing of face masks in the province is still not mandated.

Lagman also sought help to address the sanitation issues in evacuation centers.

“Water, sanitation, and health issues ang sa tingin kong [are what I believe] will eventually crop up in the next few days,” he said.

Nearly 14K affected

There are 13,811 individuals or 3,876 families in 21 barangays in the Bicol Region are affected by the Mayon Volcano’s activities, based on a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday.

Of the number, 13,179 people or 3,701 families were temporarily staying in 21 evacuation centers, while 632 people or 175 families were seeking shelter outside of evacuation centers.

A total of P25,617,943.12 worth of assistance were provided to affected residents in Albay, the NDRRMC said.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said in an Unang Balita interview that 89,000 family food packs were allocated in the Bicol region.

“Sa kasalukuyan, umaabot na sa 34,000 family food packs o katumbas niyan ay P16.8 million ‘yung napadala nating mga family food packs sa mga apektadong bayan o siyudad diyan sa Albay,” he added.

(Currently, we have distributed 34,000 family food packs, equivalent to P16.8 million, for the affected towns or cities in Albay.)

Mayon Volcano in Albay is currently under Alert Level 3 due to its “intensified unrest” or magmatic unrest. —KBK, GMA Integrated News