As Mayon Volcano exhibits decreasing signs of unrest, residents who have been evacuated to safety for nearly 4 months are now allowed to return home per advisory issued by Albay Governor Grex Lagman on October 5, 2023.
All local chief executives (LCEs) of affected cities and municipalities were instructed by the Governor to begin the evacuee decampment process due to the reduced volcanic activity of Mayon, as monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Office (APSEMO).
DSWD Bicol played a crucial role in ensuring the safe return of these evacuees to thei09r respective homes. On October 6 and 7, 2023, the agency assisted in the decampment of 2,106 families in Malilipot, Tabaco, and Camalig in the province of Albay.
However, based on the report from the Camalig Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), 189 families residing within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zone will remain at the Camalig Bungkaras Evacuation Center due to the high potential risk of lava flows in their area.
The agency will also continue to monitor these remaining IDPs in the said municipality.Â
(Source: DSWD Region V – Press Release)