The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Field Office (FO) in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has provided relief assistance to families who have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Odette.’

FO CAR provided 50 Family Food Packs (FFPs) amounting P36,316.28 to a total of 50 families or 182 individuals who took refuge in two evacuation centers in the towns of Luna and Sta. Marcela in Apayao Province. As of 12 noon today, the evacuees have returned to their respective homes.

The field office maintains its close coordination with its Quick Response Teams and Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) Teams for the continuous monitoring of the situation on the ground. It is also working closely with the Provincial, Municipal, and City Social Welfare and Development Offices (P/M/CSWDO) in the region for the provision of any augmentation support and assistance.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DReAMB) of the DSWD is still on Blue Alert for monitoring reports related to the weather disturbance.

“We are calling on our fellow citizens in the affected regions to continue to be on alert on the effects of the tropical storm and to heed all warnings that will be issued by their barangays and local government units to ensure their safety,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Aleli B. Bawagan said.###