By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The government has so far provided about P14.9 million worth of relief assistance to families affected by nonstop monsoon rains.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Acting Secretary Virginia Orogo (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Acting Secretary Virginia Orogo went to Ilocos Region over the weekend to distribute relief assistance to families and individuals who have been affected by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
To date, a total of P14,904,284.48 worth of assistance was provided to the affected families; of which P9,017,848.48 came from DSWD while P5,886,436 came from affected local government units.
Family food packs were distributed to fisherfolk in the municipality of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur whose fishing activities have been disrupted by the inclement weather.
Some 1,000 families or 5,000 persons have been affected in the province, while a total of 98,181 families or 488,081 individuals have been affected by habagat in Ilocos Region.
DSWD’s field office in Ilocos Region continues to extend aid to other affected provinces in the region, including the town of Calasiao in Pangasinan that has been submerged in floodwaters since last week.
It has delivered 1,800 food packs and 150 family kits to the municipality over the weekend.
Based on the latest consolidated report from the DSWD-Disaster Response Management Bureau, a total of 203,032 families or 914,338 persons have been affected by the southwest monsoon in 752 barangays in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, National Capital Region, and Southern Luzon.
At least 5,430 families or 23,383 persons are still in 135 evacuation centers, while 64,594 families or 257,958 persons are currently staying with their relatives and friends.
Orogo advised individuals or families staying in evacuation centers to report any untoward incidents in the centers.
“We encourage affected residents to immediately report any concerns like harassment or abuse while inside evacuation centers,” she said.
“The DSWD is working closely with local government units to maintain safe evacuation spaces for women and children, but we need the cooperation of everyone to prevent any untoward incidents,” she added.
“If you or your children or relatives have experienced any form of harassment or assault, please report it immediately to our social workers present in evacuation centers or to proper authorities for urgent action,” she also said.
Orogo assured affected local government units of continuous coordination for the processing and assessment of requests for family food packs.