Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) OIC Eduardo M. Punay led the distribution of food and non-food items as well as financial assistance to residents affected by flooding and heavy rains brought by the low pressure area (LPA) in the municipality of Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
The DSWD, through its field office in Zamboanga Peninsula, extended relief support to the local government unit (LGU) of Sibuco, consisting of 2,000 family food packs, 500 hygiene kits, and 500 sleeping kits.
Under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program or AICS, at least 153 families whose houses were totally damaged received financial assistance worth P10,000 each, while about 180 families whose houses were partially damaged got P5,000
Aside from leading the distribution of relief and financial assistance, Punay, along with other DSWD officials, visited the various evacuation centers in the area.
After his visit, Punay led the signing of a memorandum of agreement with Sibuco Mayor Joel Ventura for the prepositioning of relief goods in the locality as part of the disaster preparedness measures of the LGU.
In addition, at least 412 flood victims from Zamboanga City also received cash aid worth P5,000 each through AICS, during a mall payout.
As of Jan. 25, the DSWD has provided about P66.8 million worth of assistance to LGUs affected by rains brought about by the LPA in Mindanao and northeast monsoon in Luzon and Visayas.