DSWD: P9.6M worth of aid given to LPA victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided around P9.6 million worth of assistance to people affected by the recent low pressure area (LPA) that hit the Visayas and Mindanao regions. 

In a public briefing, DSWD spokesperson Romel Lopez said that at least 54,800 families were affected by the LPA in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga. 

Lopez added that from that number, 2,339 individuals or 577 families remain in evacuation centers in Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga while 542 individuals are in shelters outside of evacuation centers.

He said the affected people were given family food packs, while those with damaged houses were provided with cash assistance, depending on the assessment of the agency’s social workers.

Meanwhile, Lopez added that the DSWD still has 622,000 family food packs worth P425.1 million remaining, as well as other non-food items like hygiene kits and kitchen kits already prepositioned in various parts of the country.

"As of February 26, meron pa po tayong P2.2 billion worth ng stockpiles, at syempre standby funds na mahgit P822 million rito ang tinatawag QRF o Quick Response Fund na available at maaring magamit ng central office ng DSWD at ng aming mga regional offices," Lopez said.

(As of February 26, we still have P2.2 billion worth of stockpiles and a standby fund of over P822 million called the Quick Response Fund. These can be used by the DSWD central office and our regional offices.)  —Giselle Ombay/ VAL, GMA Integrated News