Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman directed all DSWD regional offices along the path of typhoon Labuyo to be ready to assist local government units in relief distribution and management of evacuation centers in typhoon-affected areas.
Secretary Soliman said that the DSWD has pre-positioned relief emergency resources to all affected regions amounting to P160.35M consisting of
P27.45 M standby funds; 51,567 family food packs worth P12.84M, other food items and non-food items worth P43.15 M and P76.90 million, respectively.
Secretary Soliman added that all identified evacuation centers in areas along the path of typhoon “Labuyo” are ready for forced evacuation or whenever evacuation is necessary.
In Region III where “Labuyo” made a landfall in Casiguran, Aurora early this morning, the DSWD regional office prepared 3,197 family food packs and P3 million standby funds for augmentation to disaster affected families in the province. As of August 12, 10 am, 94 families with 416 persons from Aurora province sought temporary shelter in 16 evacuation centers. Initial report by the DSWD in the region said that 78 houses in Aurora province were damaged of which five were totally damaged while 73 were partially destroyed.
In Region V, the DSWD regional office reported that evacuation centers in Pioduran, Albay have already closed with the evacuees returning to their places of origin. The 3, 485 persons who were stranded in various ports were provided hot meals by the Catanduanes local government unit. To date, the strandees have proceeded to their respective destinations as sea vessels have been allowed to sail.
Further, the DSWD Region V continues to preposition family food packs for families living in coastal areas. Food packs are also readied for distribution to LGU of Matnog in case there will be strandees.
Secretary Soliman assured that all members of the Social Welfare and Development teams in concerned regions have been alerted to continue to coordinate with local government units for significant reports, technical assistance, and augmentation support. ###
