Over Php132 million worth of humanitarian aid have been extended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families and individuals affected by the continuing restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon, an agency official reported on Thursday (April 10).
“Nagkakahalaga na po ‘yan ng mahigit Php132 million pesos at ‘yan po ay binubuo ng mga family food packs (FFPs), non-food items (NFIs) and ‘yung ating financial assistance,” Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) told reporters during the Thursday Media Forum at the agency’s News Press Center in Quezon City.
The total aid covers 107,825 FFPs and 24,990 non-food items that have been augmented to local government units (LGUs) since the December 9 eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, as well as Php28 million in financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The DSWD also provided over 3,500 other food items such as potable water and hot-meals.
Asst. Secretary Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, told reporters that the agency is striving to address ‘food-pack fatigue’ among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through the joint provision of hot meals with concerned LGUs as most evacuees have been displaced for almost four months already.
“Based on our data, we have also distributed 3,502 other food items na kinabibilangan po ng potable water and hot meals. Kasi meron tayong community kitchens po doon sa lugar na naapektuhan, partikular sa mga evacuation centers, so nakakapaghain po tayo ng ibang pagkain sa mga evacuees,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
Based on the April 10 report of the agency’s Disaster Response Operations Management Information Communication (DROMIC), a total of 12,761 families or 48,850 individuals in the Negros Island were affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon.
Of the affected families, a total of 2,606 families or 8,313 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in 22 open evacuation centers, while 3,702 families or 11,892 persons are temporarily staying with their friends or relatives.
In line with the marching order of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DSWD spokesperson assured the public that the agency has sufficient resources to ensure that no affected families would go hungry amid the ongoing crisis.
“Again, handa po ang DSWD na magbigay ng tulong dahil sapat po ang ating mga resources. Makikitang nasa 2.7 million yung ating national stockpile and nagpapatuloy po tayo sa pag-produce,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
The DSWD also has Php93 million in stand-by funds nationwide and non-food items such as hygiene, family, and kitchen kits as well as modular tents. (LSJ)