The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as the lead disaster response agency, continues to extend relief and augmentation support to families affected by the Southwest Monsoon rains.

Based on the recent bulletin released by the DSWD, as of 4AM of August 19, the combined amount of assistance extended to affected families reached to P9 million, of which P4,587,812.27 worth of aid was given by the DSWD, while local government units (LGUs) provided P4,045,898.92, and non-government organizations (NGOs) gave P517,186.20 worth of relief support.

“Importante po sa amin ang pagbibigay ng transparent na pag-uulat kung magkano na ang public funds na nagagamit natin sa pagresponde sa mga kababayan nating apektado ng disasters (It is important for us to provide transparent data on how much public funds is being utilized during disaster response operations),” said DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

As of this writing, a total of 87,536 families or 416,681 persons were affected by the inclement weather in Regions I, III, CAR and CALABARZON.

Of this number, 3,071 families or 12,756 persons are still in 126 evacuation centers in the said regions, while 63,575 families or 303,769 persons temporarily took shelter with their relatives and friends.

Currently, the DSWD continues its coordination with LGUs in monitoring disaster response operations in the local level.

“Makakaasa po kayo na patuloy po naming aayusin ang pag-handle ng public resources upang maipamahagi ang mga ito sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan (We will continue to effectively handle public resources to provide the necessary help to Filipinos in need of assistance),” Sec. Taguiwalo ended. ###