Families and individuals in Northern and Central Luzon drenched by the effects of Typhoon “Bising” and the habagat have so far received Php719,187-worth of relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), an agency official reported on Tuesday (July 8).
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the amount covers the 1,068 family food packs (FFPs) and emergency kits that were swiftly delivered to Bising-hit local government units (LGUs) since last week, particularly in areas hit by intense rains, flooding, and landslide incidents.
“Even when Bising was still a low-pressure area, we assured our LGUs that we will support their relief efforts, especially in areas forecast to bear the brunt of the weather disturbance. ‘Yan at yan rin po ang ginawa ng disaster response teams natin, sinisigurado natin na mabibigyan ng agarang tulong at kapanatagan ang mga kababayan natin, alinsunod na rin sa utos ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD’s spokesperson, said.
Based on the July 8, 6:00 a.m. report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC), a total of 30,683 families or 95,910 persons in 61 barangays in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 3 (Central Luzon), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) have been affected.
“In Region 3, where various areas were submerged with flood waters, the DSWD-Central Luzon facilitated the distribution of 225 FFPs to Bising-hit families in the city of Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the DSWD has already started relief distribution in Ilocos Region since July 5, reaching disaster-hit families in the towns of Narvacan, Sta. Maria, and the city of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.
“Rest assured na tuluy-tuloy ‘yung monitoring natin sa mga affected communities with the help of concerned LGUs. Sufficient rin ang mga supplies natin across the affected regions,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DSWD-CAR also led a site assessment to landslide-affected areas in Itogon, Benguet.
DSWD-CAR Regional Director (RD) Maria Catbagan-Aplaten personally visited the area and assured the affected communities and concerned LGUs that her regional personnel are monitoring the situation and providing the necessary assistance to the displaced families.
The agency’s Field Offices in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and CAR maintain 493,457 FFPs and Php9M in stand-by funds. (LSJ)
33k Typhoon Bising-affected families in 4 regions get Php2.3M in aid from DSWD
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided assistance to 33,026 families or 105,211 individuals in four regions who were directly affected by Tropical Depression Bising and other weather disturbances, including the incessant rains brought by the habagat.
All of the 33,026 families in 82 barangays across four regions in Luzon have received family food packs (FFPs) and non-food relief items from the DSWD’s Field Offices (FOs) in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 3 (Central Luzon), CALABARZON, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) on Wednesday (July 9) said the concerned FOs will continue delivering relief support to local government units (LGUs) that are still reeling from the effects of Typhoon Bising and the habagat as she emphasized that the agency has sufficient disaster funds and resources for humanitarian efforts.
“Nakatuon ang DSWD sa mabilisang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng mga apektadong pamilya. Nakahanda na ang aming mga family food packs (FFPs) at iba pang relief items para sa agarang pag-augment sa mga lugar na tinamaan ng bagyo at habagat,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said.
Based on the latest report of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC), more than Php3 billion worth of standby funds and stockpile is available across DSWD Field Offices.
Only three families or 15 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in two evacuation centers in Central Luzon.
“The DSWD remains committed to providing immediate and appropriate assistance to all affected families, in coordination with LGUs. Our resources are ready for deployment where needed,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) remains on blue alert status, which calls for the continuous coordination and monitoring of the effects of Typhoon Bising and the habagat.
The DSWD’s Quick Response Team (QRT) members, as well as emergency equipment, are on standby and ready for immediate deployment to affected areas, according to the DSWD spokesperson.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao said the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) is actively repacking goods and monitoring the current stockpile of food and non-food items (FNIs) for sustained resource augmentation.
“We are closely monitoring our stock levels and are continuously replenishing supplies to ensure unhampered support to our FOs and the LGUs they assist. Patuloy ang pag-produce ng FFPs at paghahanda ng DSWD upang masigurong sapat ang ating mga relief items para sa mga nangangailangan,” the DMRG official said. (YADP)
