The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended assistance to residents of localities affected by Typhoon Betty.

The Disaster Response and Management Bureau (DRMB) reported that the DSWD Field Office (FO) II (Cagayan Valley Region) distributed P99,150 worth of food and non-food items to the municipalities of Basco, Batanes; Alcala, Cagayan; and Cabagan, Isabela.

Some 42 families or 251 individuals are currently taking temporary shelter in eight evacuation centers in Region II because of the inclement weather brought by Typhoon Betty.

Meanwhile, the Western Visayas Region has been experiencing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms caused by the Southwest Monsoon or ‘Habagat’ enhanced by Typhoon Betty.

The DSWD FO VI already sent P484,972 worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by the Southwest Monsoon rains in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.

Currently, 16 evacuation centers in Region VI are ready to give shelter to 815 families or 3,258 displaced individuals.

According to DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez, the Department will continue to coordinate with the local chief executives of the affected municipalities to ensure that they have sufficient relief items to give to their constituents.

“DSWD disaster response teams in all affected regions remain on standby to provide technical assistance and augment resources to localities that are experiencing the effects of Typhoon Betty,” the DSWD official said.

“Rest assured that all member agencies of the Disaster Response Cluster are also coordinating with their regional counterparts to ensure the smooth delivery of assistance,” said Asst. Secretary Lopez added. #