DSWD: Individuals affected by Paeng reach 2.1M

Some 2.1 million individuals or 560,000 families have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Monday.

DSWD Undersecretary Edu Punay said of the number, 297,341 or 75,168 families are in 3,208 evacuation centers across the 17 regions.

"We have distributed P48.1 million of food and non-food items so far and the distribution is still ongoing," Punay said during the televised public briefing.

Aside from food and non-food items, Punay said the DSWD will be providing aid to families who lost loved ones due to Paeng, as well as those who lost their houses and were injured.

"These [other forms of assistance] will be under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Program of DSWD. Inuuna lang po natin itong basic necessities such as food and shelter for now," Punay said, adding that at least 3,064 houses were damaged by Paeng.

Punay then reiterated DSWD's call for volunteers in repacking aid as well as donations for Paeng-affected areas.

"We welcome additional manpower, financial and non-financial donations in our Bayanihan effort to help our kababayans. Those who want to help could reach out to these numbers: 09569226155 and 09152921875," he said.

Paeng made at least five landfalls over the weekend, causing flash floods and landslides. The government's disaster agency said some 98 people have been reported killed as of Monday morning.

Punay assured the public that the government has enough funds to help the affected communities.

"We still have P1.2 billion worth of stockpile aid and standby fund, as well as P264 million Quick Response Fund, which we can use to augment assistance in affected communities," Punay said.

"The DSWD stands ready for this," he added. —KBK, GMA News