Children relocated at the San Roque Elementary School in Legazpi City receive toys from the Defense Press Corps and the provincial government of Albay during gift-giving activities Tuesday morning. (Photo by LINUS ESCANDOR II)

Albay Governor Joey Salceda on Tuesday declared the entire province an open city in order to maximize the distribution of relief goods and to convince thousands of displaced people to stay in evacuation centers with the looming major eruption of Mayon Volcano.

By “open city,” Salceda explained that all groups and personalities, including politicians, are welcomeany time to hold relief distribution and other programs for the evacuees without seeking approval from his office.

“We welcome anyone who would give something to evacuees. By declaring it, it means that everybody is welcome to help the evacuees,” said Salceda in an interview.

But the official was quick to clarify that his decision to declare an open city, particularly in 27 evacuation centers, does not mean that they are running out of supply of basic needs for around 44,000 displaced people.

He added that as far as food, water and other basic needs are concerned, they have enough reserve that could last 47 days coming from donations and the budget of the provincial government.

“What we really need is their presence, for our psychosocial care,” said Salceda, explaining that displaced people must feel they are taken cared of in order to convince them to stay in evacuation centers instead of going back to their homes in declared danger zones and face possible death once a major eruption occurs.

The term open city was first used in the country during the Japanese occupation of Manila during World War II. It was declared in order to avoid further damage to the city.

In the case of Mayon Volcano, Salceda said he is using the same term to allow all those who want to go to Albay to help the evacuees without subjecting them to bureaucratic policies.

“In other words, I am allowing NGOs (non-government organizations) to freely invade Albay without opposition,” said Salceda.

Salceda cited the case of Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas who personally visited three evacuation centers in Albay and distributed relief goods that benefited more than 2,000 families Tuesday.