P130-M worth of aid released to Typhoon Odette victims —DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday said at least P130 million worth of assistance have been given to families affected by Typhoon Odette.

In a television interview, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the amount includes more than P99 million worth of food and non-food items and some P30 million worth of assistance given to local government units.

She admitted that there is no financial aid yet being given to typhoon victims as she explained that the agency is still in its response measures for the affected families.

"Since nasa response operations pa ho tayo, wala pa ho tayong financial assistance na napo-provide, however, in regions that are already in the recovery stage like 'yung Region VI, puwede na po tayong mag-umpisa doon sa pag-submit ng indicative plan para we could proceed already in helping those affected through cash for work and emergency shelter assistance so we could help them rebuild their damaged houses," Dumlao told ANC.

She assured the public that the agency is expediting the release of assistance for the typhoon victims so they can start rebuilding their lives following the onslaught of Odette.

Dumlao said more than one million families or an equivalent of more than four million individuals were affected by Odette. They came from 6,106 barangays in the central and southern Philippines.

So far, 311,000 individuals or 80,000 families are still staying in evacuation centers, she added.

Earlier, Dumlao said the DSWD has more than P900 million worth of available stockpiles and standby funds to aid those affected by the typhoon.—AOL, GMA News