A total of P85 million worth of financial, food, and non-food assistance was released by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to flood-hit regions in Visayas and Mindanao caused by the shear line.
DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said on Tuesday, Jan. 3, that P34 million from this amount was used for the distribution of family food packs and non-food items to affected residents in Regions 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and Caraga.
Meanwhile, P51,000,896 worth of financial aid was given to 11,000 beneficiaries who mostly lost their homes, got injured, and lost a loved one due to the hazardous weather conditions.
Lopez also noted that the DSWD is continuously monitoring and distributing assistance to these areas in Visayas and Mindanao.
"Sa ngayon naman po wala naman po tayong magiging problema dahil nakikita natin na sapat naman po 'yung pondo po ng DSWD (Right now we will not have any problems as we can see that the DSWD funds are enough)," he assured.
There is over P1.2 billion worth of stockpiles and standby funds and a P100 million quick response fund ready to be allocated to the victims as of the moment, Lopez noted.
As of writing, there are 159,487 families or 638,897 individuals from Visayas, and Mindanao who already received assistance from DSWD.
Lopez added that 33,639 people sought temporary shelter in 160 evacuation centers that are also being monitored by the department together with Region 5, 9, 10, 11, and Caraga local government units.