OCD intensifies relief for Mt. Bulusan eruption, aiding over 93K people

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is intensifying relief efforts for families impacted by Mt. Bulusan's eruption in Sorsogon province, assisting more than 92,000 individuals as of Wednesday, April 30.

As of the latest report, approximately 93,258 people across eight municipalities have been affected with ongoing evacuations and relief efforts; currently, 59 families are staying in evacuation centers.

OCD Administrator Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno has directed the distribution of 1,500 hygiene kits and 10,000 N95 masks to the provincial government for immediate delivery to those affected.

The OCD is coordinating closely with various government agencies under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s whole-of-government approach to ensure a unified response, emphasizing safety protocols in affected areas.

PHIVOLCS raised the alert level from Alert Level 0 to Alert Level 1 due to potential phreatic eruptions after monitoring a phreatic eruption that occurred on April 28, producing an ash plume rising 4,500 meters above the crater.