Manila, Jan. 2 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has readied more than PHP138.4 million worth of response aid following the raising of Mayon Volcano's alert level from 1 to 2.

Claudio Villareal, chief of the Disaster Response Management Division, said in an interview on Friday that DSWD-5's priority is ensuring the safety and food security of families that may be affected by increased volcanic activity.

He said a total of PHP138,427,670.93 worth of relief supplies and standby funds have been prepared for possible deployment.

The prepositioned resources include a PHP3-million standby fund, 111,164 family food packs, 15,696 non-food items, 16,580 ready-to-eat food boxes, and 49,054 other food items.

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