The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to provide augmentation support to localities in Visayas and Mindanao affected by a low pressure area (LPA).

According to the February 22, 2023 report of the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), the DSWD augmented over P8.1 million worth of food and non-food items in Regions VI, IX, XI, XII, and Caraga.
The Department is also continuously coordinating with concerned local government units (LGUs) to ensure that sufficient relief items are ready for distribution to the families affected by the heavy rain and floods brought by the LPA.

Meanwhile, some displaced families have started to return to their respective homes following improvements in the weather. As of the latest count, 805 families or 3,190 individuals are currently taking temporary shelter in 22 evacuation centers in Regions VIII, X, XII, and Caraga, while 161 families or 582 persons are temporarily staying with their relatives or friends.

The DSWD assured the public that it has sufficient resources to assist LGUs in their relief operations. Currently, the Department maintains more than P2.1 billion worth of stockpile and standby funds composed of the following: standby funds worth over P820 million; 610,722 family food packs worth more than P410 million; and other food and non-food items worth over P951 million.

The DSWD reminds the affected population to stay vigilant and cooperate with their respective local leaders to ensure their safety. ###