By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided assistance to the local government units (LGUs) to immediately respond to the needs of families and individuals affected by the 6.1-magnitude quake in Central Luzon.
DSWD has so far provided P213,689.50 worth of assistance to the affected families.
Based on the latest report of its Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB), a total of 358 families or 1,938 persons from five barangays in Pampanga, Zambales and Bataan were affected by the earthquake.
It also noted that 67 houses were damaged; of which, 54 were totally damaged and 13 were partially damaged.
Some 245 families or 1,271 persons are still staying in four evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, 108 families or 648 individuals are staying with their relatives and friends.
DSWD Central Office, field offices, and the National Resource Operations Center have stockpiles and standby resources amounting to P2,233,678,895.43, which can readily be used to respond to emergency situations.