By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided P7.88 million assistance to over 20,000 families affected by the Taal Volcano's phreatic eruption in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) region.
(AP Photo/Aaron Favila/DSWD/MANILA BULLETIN)
The DSWD-Disaster Response Operations and Monitoring Information Center (DROMIC) reported that as of 6 p.m. on January 18, the total relief assistance amounted to P7.88 million.
In a report posted on its official Facebook page, the Department said 22, 472 families or 96, 061 persons have been affected by the January 12 phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano.
"DSWD continues to assist the LGUs in assessing the needs of affected residents for the provision of additional necessary assistance," it said.
Of the total number of affected families, 15, 900 families or 69, 825 persons come from Batangas; 2,922 families or 11, 735 from Cavite; 1,886 families or 7,500 persons from Laguna; and 1,764 families or 7,001 persons from Quezon.
Based on the DSWD-DROMIC report, a total of 16,174 families or 70,413 persons are staying in 300 evacuation centers. While, 3,586 families or 14,274 persons are "outside" evacuation centers or staying with their relatives.
On January 18, Saturday, the DSWD officials, led by Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, met and discussed how to strengthen the Department's disaster response in CALABARZON region.
"Under the Local Government Code, LGUs are the first responders before, during, and after a disaster. They are primarily responsible for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response," the DSWD said.
"DSWD, meanwhile, augments the resources of the LGUs as needed to respond to the needs/requirements of the affected families and individuals," it added.
The Department earlier assured the more food packs will be provided to the affected families.
The DSWD-DROMIC earlier noted that the DSWD Central Office (CO) , Field Offices (FOs), and Natural Resource Operations Center (NROC) have stockpiles and standby funds amounting to P916.83 million.
It said the DSWD Central Office (CO) and FOs has a total of P250,130,936.99 standby funds.
"Of the said amount, P215, 140,512.28 is the available Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the CO, " it said.
According to the DSWD-DROMIC, they have stockpiles of 188, 594 food packs amounting to P71.886 million, and available food and non-food items amounting to P594.817 million.