Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Virginia “Gee” N. Orogo traveled to Ilocos Region over the weekend to distribute relief assistance to families and individuals who have been affected by the Southwest Monsoon or ‘Habagat’.

Sec. Gee distributed family food packs (FFPs) to fishermen in the Municipality of Narvacan,  Ilocos Sur whose fishing activities have been disrupted by the inclement weather.  Some 1,000 families or 5,000 persons have been affected in the province, while a total of 98,181 families or 488,081 individuals have been affected by ‘habagat’ in Region I.

DSWD Field Office (FO) in Region I continues to extend aid to other affected provinces in the region, including the town of Calasiao in Pangasinan, which has been submerged in floodwaters.  The FO has delivered 1,800 Food packs and 150 family kits to the municipality over the weekend.

Based on the latest consolidated report from the DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB), a total of 203,032 families or 914,338 persons have been affected by the effects of the southwest monsoon in 752 barangays in Regions I, III, VI, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), National Capital Region (NCR), CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.

Some 5,430 families or 23,383 persons are still in 135 evacuation centers (ECs), while 64,594 families or 257,958 persons are currently staying with their relatives and friends.

Sec. Gee warns affected citizens staying in ECs to report any untoward incidents in the centers.

“We encourage affected residents to immediately report any concerns like harassment or abuse while inside evacuation centers,” she said.

“The DSWD is working closely with local government units (LGUs) to maintain safe evacuation spaces for women and children, but we need the cooperation of everyone to prevent any untoward incidents. If you or your children or relatives have experienced any form of harassment or assault, please report it immediately to our social workers present in evacuation centers or to proper authorities for urgent action,” the Secretary added.

The welfare chief also assures affected LGUs for continuous coordination for the processing and assessment of FFP requests.

“As we prepare for the State of the Nation Address of President Duterte, we assure the public that we will remain in close coordination with all affected regions, especially those LGUs who have already declared their municipalities and cities under the state of calamity,” she said.

“We will also continue to provide reports about the status of affected population and response updates,” added Sec. Gee.

To date, a total of P14,904,284.48 worth of assistance was provided to the affected families; of which P9,017,848.48 came from DSWD while P5,886,436.00 came from affected local government units.  ###