AID FOR 'AGATON' VICTIMS. A victim of recent flooding triggered by Tropical Depression Agaton receives a food pack from the government in this April 25, 2022 photo. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Eastern Visayas released 46,334 family food packs as an initial assistance to victims of the tropical depression. (Photo courtesy of DSWD Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas released 46,334 family food packs (FFPs) as an initial assistance to victims of Tropical Depression Agaton.
DSWD regional information officer Joshua Kempis said on Tuesday as of Monday night, food packs were delivered to 10 towns in the provinces of Leyte, Eastern Samar, and Biliran affected by heavy rains two weeks ago.
Of the 46,334 FFPS, 19,100 were delivered in Abuyog, 5,000 in Mahaplag, 4,000 in Baybay City, 3,300 in Inopacan, 3,000 in Palompon, 1,325 in Javier, and 400 in Leyte town, all in Leyte province.
In Leyte, recipients are in Guiuan town with 8,100 packs and Arteche with 1,193 packs. In Culaba, Biliran, affected families got 916 food packs.
“Overall, we have already distributed PHP29.28 million worth of food packs to families affected by flooding and landslides. In addition, we also handed over PHP1.01 million as assistance to individuals in crisis situations,” Kempis said in a phone interview.
They have been delivering food packs to local government units and they took charge of the distribution. About 1,500 to 2,000 FFPs are produced daily for victims of “Agaton” in the region.
Each food pack for one family, costing PHP500, contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, two cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of energy drink.
Heavy rains dumped by "Agaton" triggered landslides on April 10 in Baybay City, killing at least 128 people.
Two days later, the landslide wiped out a village in Abuyog town with at least 60 deaths. (PNA)
