On Saturday, March 30, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office Bicol (DSWD FO V) distributed 300 family food packs worth PHP 205,695.00 to 121 households displaced by the recent insurgency in Barangay San Vicente and Villa Paz, Jovellar, Albay.
Said armed conflict occurred on March 28, leading to the displacement of 121 families, totaling 537 individuals, from the two affected barangays.
Currently, the displaced families are seeking shelter in evacuation centers or with relatives in nearby secure barangays.
According to the report, the exchange of gunfire endured for about 50 minutes and necessitated the combined effort of the Albay 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC), 505m MC, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5, and the Philippine Army in engaging approximately 30 members of the alleged Communist National Terrorist Group (CNTG).
One civilian was injured in the incident and promptly transported to the Jovellar Rural Health Unit (RHU) for immediate first-aid treatment.
Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Norman Laurio, along with Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) Division Chief Claudio Villareal Jr. and Albay Provincial SWAD Team Leader Lloyd Lara, conducted assessments in the affected areas.
Furthermore, DSWD Bicol, in coordination with the local government unit of Jovellar, continues to monitor the families’ status. | Melojane Guiriña