The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday, Nov. 24 said it had provided at least P37.2 million in aid to those affected by flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains in Eastern Visayas.
“Our Field Office in Eastern Visayas has been sending assistance non-stop to the affected families and individuals," DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said.
“As of Nov. 24, DSWD-Eastern Visayas has provided P37.2 million worth of family food packs, which is equivalent to 49,566 boxes,” Lopez said.
The food packs were distributed to families affected by flooding in Naval, Biliran; Arteche, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog, and Oras in Eastern Samar; Calbayog City, Gandara, San Jorge, and Sta. Margarita in Samar; and Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Capul, Catubig, Lapinig, Las Navas, Lavezares, Palapag, Lope de Vega, Laoang, Mapanas, San Roque, San Antonio, San Vicente in Northern Samar.
“Families affected by the landslide incident in Bontoc, Southern Leyte were also reached by our field office,” he added.
DSWD-Eastern Visayas also facilitate the distribution of food packs and various non-food items as augmentation support to all other local government units.
It has also mobilized its satellite office for the immediate distribution of relief items.
“Currently, DSWD Field Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) maintains more than P6 million standby funds and over P127.8 million worth of FFPs (family food packs) and NFIs (non-food items) prepositioned in strategic locations in the region and ready to be sent to local government units (LGUs) needing further augmentation assistance from the department,” Lopez said.
DSWD Secretary Gatchalian visited Northern Samar on Friday, where he met with local officials and oversaw the distribution of relief items to internally displaced individuals.
He directed the DSWD-Field Office 8 to keep communication lines open with all LGUs at all times in order to provide the necessary resources and other interventions.