MMDA, Metro Manila Council bring relief efforts for Mayon evacuees

The Province of Albay has welcomed the arrival of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units of Metro Manila at the Provincial Capitol today, February 26.

The MMDA and the Metro Manila Local Government Units will provide aid to the affected families of the Mayon Volcano’s continuous eruptive activities.

“The Metro Manila Council Mayon Relief Operations convoy comprising of 125 personnel with 26 vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks, pick-ups, etc.) is scheduled to personally bring food, medicine, and clean water from fire trucks to the different evacuation centers around the province for three days,” the province said.

MMDA OIC general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said they formed teams to make Mayon operation possible, adding that the 17 mayors of metro manila said that they are pleased to help Albayanos.

“Makita lang, makamayan, at maakap lang sila malaking bagay na yan,” Garcia was quoted as saying.

“The Metro Manila Council Mayon Relief Operations was planned and organized during the emergency meeting of the Metro Manila Council where the Metro Manila mayors and the MMDA agreed to have a common fund with each LGU giving at least P500,000 from their local disaster funds,” the province said.

The Metro Manila Council coordinated with Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, the crisis manager for the Mayon volcano eruption, to make the operation possible, said the province.

“Navotas will be distributing relief goods to Ligao City, and financial assistance in Guinobatan. While Parañaque will give Relief and Financial Assistance to Camalig,” the province said.

“On the other hand, Malabon, Quezon City, and Valenzuela group coordinated with the Provincial Government of Albay for the lists of evacuation centers and number of evacuees to be able to identify which group is quantitatively capable to cater families on each evacuation centers,” it added

Muntinlupa, meanwhile, personally turned over their financial assistance to Governor Al Francis Bichara.