Govt readies P6.9-M emergency relief for 'Gorio' victims

The government has readied P6.9 million in emergency relief resources to deal with the effects of Tropical Storm Gorio (Rumbia), Malacañang said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government has started its assessment of the preparedness of areas likely to be affected by Gorio.

“Ongoing naman ang mga assets natin when it comes to search and rescue. That is standard already kapag hinihingan ng tulong ay nagpapadala tayo agad (Our assets are mobilized when it comes to search and rescue. That is standard so we can move if help is needed),” she said, according to a statement on the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (http://www.news.pcoo.gov.ph/today.htm).

In Eastern Visayas, Valte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) activated quick response teams and will be open 24 hours.

The DSWD has also started repacking and preparing 1,040 family food packs, she added.

It has P263,920 in standby funds including other food items worth some P1.7 million.

Also, there is an available standby fund of P270,350 for non-food items in Eastern Visayas.

In Caraga, PCOO said local disaster management units have been activated, with 2,000 family food packs available in case of emergency and a standby fund worth P300,440.

She also said there is a separate P1,042,000 for other food items and P2.7 million for non-food items.

"All in all, the total prepositioned food packs, standby funds and other food items and non-food items for the two regions amount to P6.9 million," PCOO quoted Valte as saying.

Meanwhile, Valte said the government continues to mobilize resources to help residents affected by flooding in some parts of North Cotabato. — LBG, GMA News