Yesterday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo praised the efforts of youth and other private groups who extended aid to victims of Typhoon ‘Nina.’

“Lubos po ang aming pasasalamat sa mga private individuals at organizations na naghatid ng tulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Nina lalo na sa mga lugar na hindi pa naaabutan ng tulong mula sa pamahalaan. Isa po sa kanila ay isang grupo ng kabataan mula Marinduque na nagbigay ng mga relief goods at mga materyales sa pagkukumpuni ng mga nasirang tirahan ng mga kababayan nating naapektuhan ng bagyo (We are really grateful to private individuals and organizations who provided help to Typhoon Nina victims, especially those who have not yet received aid from the government. One of them is a group of youth from Marinduque who gave relief goods and shelter reconstruction materials to those affected by the typhoon),” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“Bukod po sa mga nagpapamahagi ng mga donasyon, nais ko rin pong magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga tumugon sa panawagan ng DSWD na tumulong sa relief operation para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Nina. Ito po ay isang patunay na buhay na buhay ang Bayanihan ng mga Pilipino (Aside from those who gave donations, I would also like to thank everyone who answered to the call of the DSWD to help in the relief operations for those affected by Typhoon Nina. This shows that Filipino Bayanihan is alive), added the Secretary.

Update on Assistance Provided

As of today’s 9AM report from the DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), a total of P158,421,799.00 worth of relief assistance has been provided to affected families in Regions CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V and VIII, and stranded passengers in Regions V and VIII.

From the given amount, the DSWD provided P154,115,468.00 worth of assistance as resource augmentation for local government units (LGUs).

Moreover, LGUs and non-government organizations (NGOs) provided a total of P4,225,832.00 and P80,500.00 worth of relief resources, respectively.

Status of affected families

Currently, the DSWD is continuously coordinating with National Government Agencies (NGAs) and LGUs in providing assistance to 471,453 families or 2,125,555 individuals affected in Regions CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol and VIII.

The number of families displaced in the said regions increased to 388,943 families or 1,774,729 individuals, of which, 7,627 families or 32,773 individuals are still staying in 81 evacuation centers, while the others went back to their homes.

Report irregularities in relief distribution

Meanwhile, the Department will continue to send augmentation support to LGUs and other needed assistance in the relief operations for Nina victims.

Sec. Taguiwalo also called on the public to report irregularities in the distribution of relief items to affected families.

“Mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal na galawin ng mga lokal na opisyal ang DSWD food packs para hati-hatiin ang laman nito. Kung may ganitong pangyayari, maaari nyo pong ireport sa amin o sa 8888 ang insidente kasama ang litrato o kahit anong pruweba tungkol sa nakita ninyong iregularidad (Opening and repacking of DSWD food packs by local governments for distribution to affected locals is strictly prohibited. We encourage everyone to report such incidents to us or to the 8888 citizen’s complaint hotline with proof of the irregularity), said Sec. Taguiwalo. ###