The number of displaced persons due to the series of destructive earthquakes in Central and Southern Mindanao has reached around 83,000 individuals, based on the latest report by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Patients and residents rest outside a hospital in Makilala town, North Cotabato province in southern island of Mindanao on October 17, 2019, after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit the island.
(Photo by Geonarri SOLMENARO / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) reported that of the total 254,473 persons or 50,930 families affected by the earthquake in Regions 11 and 12 (Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN), 39,128 individuals or 8,265 households have sought temporary shelter in 47 evacuation centers.
Meanwhile, 43,945 persons or 8,789 families opted to stay with their relatives or friends.
More damaged houses were also reported that reached 34,523—of which, 22,559 were totally damaged and 11,964 were partially damaged.
DSWD has already provided P22.6 million worth of assistance to the affected families.
DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista earlier assured the affected residents staying in temporary shelters to expect more aid from the government.
Some of DSWD’s field offices in other regions have sent augmentation support in the form of emergency relief supplies to field offices in the affected areas for distribution to the earthquake victims.