MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far extended around PHP1 million worth of assistance to the families by Tropical Storm Aghon in the Bicol Region, spokesperson Irene Dumlao said Sunday
“The DSWD is working tirelessly in coordination with local government units (LGUs) to ensure the timely distribution of relief goods and other essential services to the affected population,” Dumlao said in a news release.
Dumlao, also DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG), said over PHP972,000 worth of assistance from the DSWD and more than PHP316,600 from concerned LGUs have been given to the affected families in Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon provinces.
“The relief package includes food packs, hygiene kits, and other basic necessities to support the displaced families,” Dumlao said.
She said the agency is closely monitoring the areas affected by Aghon and regularly coordinating with concerned LGUs for immediate and appropriate assistance.
Based on the latest DSWD-DRMG report, the tropical storm has affected 6,542 families or more than 8,200 persons from 22 villages in Bicol, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas regions.
“We have prepositioned more than 24,900 family food packs in the said regions which are available for distribution as the need arises,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the DSWD National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau is set to dispatch additional boxes of food packs to Field Office 4-A (Calabarzon) to augment the stockpile for disaster response efforts.
The DSWD urged the public to remain vigilant and follow the safety guidelines issued by local authorities. (PNA)
