TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released PhP 62.52 million worth of assistance to families badly affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in Eastern Visayas.
In a report released Thursday, the DSWD 8 (Eastern Visayas) said the amount, released as of October 30, covered the cost of 79, 602 family food packs (FFPs) and 842 non-food items (NFIs) provided to families affected by flooding.
DSWD-8 information officer Joshua Kempis said in a phone interview that although the weather in the region has improved, there are families still suffering from the impacts of the destructive weather disturbance.
“The agency’s monitoring is still continuing to ensure that all requests for augmentation and necessary assistance from the affected local government units are being responded to,” Kempis said.
The DSWD has PhP 78.62 million in relief resources for additional requests from affected local government units.
In Eastern Samar, recipient families were from the towns of Arteche, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, and San Policarpo.
In Samar province, the beneficiaries were families from Calbayog City, Gandara, Matuguinao, Daram, Hinabangan, Matuguinao, Motiong, Pinabacdao, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Sta. Margarita, Talalora, Zumarraga, and Catbalogan City.
FFPs were also distributed in Lope de Vega and Mapanas in Northern Samar; Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte; Naval, Biliran; and Dulag Calubian, Villaba, Bato, and Hilongos in Leyte.
Each FFP, worth PhP 500, contains 6 kg. of rice, four cans of corned beef, two cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of energy drink.
The NFIs include sleeping kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, laminated sacks, plastic mats, modular tents, and kitchen utensils.
Under Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the local governments are the first responders, and the DSWD must augment the response efforts after disasters.
The DSWD has been coordinating with other Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council members to fast-track the aid distribution.
Kristine affected 958, 203 people in 1, 278 villages when it crossed Eastern Visayas last week. The badly hit areas are in three Samar provinces. (PNA)