Marcos orders opening of roads for aid to reach ash-hit Albay towns

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the government is working to clear all major roads in and out of areas affected by ashfall from Mayon Volcano to ensure the quick delivery of aid.

Marcos told reporters Monday, May 4, that he has spoken to the governor of Albay, who assured him that "all the needs of Albay so far" have been met by the support of the national government.

"The first concern, of course, was the health concerns. We were able to bring out the people who were in the danger area. We were able to support them with medical attention," Marcos said in Filipino.

"Now, we are working on opening all the thoroughfares so that everyone who needs to enter can enter, and everyone who needs to leave can leave," the president said, adding that the thoroughfares may be cleared for passage by today as long as Mayon Volcano does not spew more ash.

Marcos said he's been informed that the Department of Health has already distributed masks for residents to avoid inhaling the fumes in the area.

The latest report from the Office of Civil Defense in Region V shows at least 30,522 families or 102,406 persons across 87 barangays have been affected by Mayon's ongoing activity. 

Of these, 1,438 families or 5,440 persons have been moved to evacuation centers, while 26 families or 85 persons are being assisted outside evacuation centers.  

Thick ashall from Mayon volcano blanketed at least 52 barangays in Albay on Saturday, May 2. 

This comes after the volcano's strombolian eruption, massive ashfall, and dangerous pyroclastic density currents that began over the weekend. These currents are fast-moving hot gas and rock.

Phivolcs has maintained Alert Level 3 over the volcano, meaning there is a high level of volcanic unrest due to intensified activity. This alert level requires the immediate evacuation of all residents inside the six-kilometer radius permanent danger zone. — Cristina Chi