The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) immediately activated the quick response teams of its field office in Bicol Region after a magnitude 6.0 earthquake shook the province of Masbate and neighboring areas on Thursday morning, Feb. 16.
The DSWD also immediately coordinated with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and concerned local government units (LGUs) to conduct a rapid damage assessment in the areas affected by the earthquake.
In their assessment, hairline cracks were observed, but no major damage was reported.
In addition, no casualties have been reported, and roads and bridges in Masbate are still passable.
The DSWD-Field Office V continues its operation to provide immediate response to the residents of Bicol Region.
It assured the residents of the affected areas that food and non-food items are available and sufficient for resource augmentation as the need arises.
The DSWD-Field Office V has P5 million worth of standby funds, around 28,000 family food packs, and 51,540 non-food items stored in various warehouses in the region.