DSWD prepositions P160M emergency relief for ‘Labuyo’ victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned P160.35 million in emergency relief resources for families affected by typhoon ‘Labuyo.’

According to DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, the prepositioned emergency relief goods consist of P27.45 M standby funds; 51,567 family food packs worth P12.84 M, and other food items and non-food items worth P43.15M and 76.90 million, respectively.

Secretary Soliman said that the DSWD, together with local government units (LGUs), has started the needs assessment of affected areas.

As of August 13, 12N, 30,782 families with 154,962 persons in Regions CAR, I, II, III and V were affected by typhoon Labuyo.  To date, 85 evacuation centers (ECs) remain opened providing temporary shelter to 7,309 families with 33,928 persons.   Some 5,404 other family –evacuees with 25,545 persons who opted to stay with their friends and relatives’ houses are continuously being served by the DSWD.

In Region III, 24,506 families with 123,437 persons from 99 barangays in the municipalities of Aurora, Zambales, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan were affected.  The municipalities of Casiguran, Dilasag and Dinalungan in Aurora remain isolated and communication systems are cut off.

Sixty-three ECs evacuation centers are operational in Region III, and providing temporary shelter to 6,811 families composed of 32,060 persons.  The DSWD has also started repacking and preparing 3,197 family food packs and P3 million standby for typhoon victims.

Meanwhile, in Region II, some 5,236 families composed of 23,115 persons coming from 92 barangays, 20 municipalities in the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino were affected.   Affected LGUs in the region opened ten evacuation centers with six ECs remain opened providing temporary shelter to 184 families or 774 persons.  DSWD regional office in Tuguegarao City prepared 2,108 family food packs and P3 million standby funds for augmentation to disaster affected families.

In Region I, a total of 645 families with 2,956 persons were affected by the typhoon.   The Social Welfare Action and Development (SWAD) and Quick Action and Response Teams of Region I are continuously monitoring the situation in the field for assistance.

In CAR, 252 families composed of 1,061 persons were affected. To date, 48 families with 208 persons are still in evacuation center in Tublay, Benguet.

“Local disaster management units have been activated and the DSWD will continue to mobilize its resources to help affected residents,” Secretary Soliman assured.  ###