DSWD delivers over P1B worth of assistance to Habagat, cyclone-hit areas

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed over P1 billion worth of assistance to individuals in areas affected by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and the recent tropical cyclones.

DSWD Irene Dumlao said that among the assistance provided to affected people are food packs, ready-to-eat boxes, and financial assistance.

"Sa katunayan, ang cost of humanitarian assistance na naipaabot na natin ay umabot na ng mahigit P1.1 billion. Ayan ay binubuo ng mahigit 1.7 million na family food packs, ready-to-eat boxes, non-food items, at iba pang mga food items, at financial assistance," she said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(In fact, the cost of humanitarian assistance that we have provided has reached over P1.1 billion. That consists of over 1.7 million family food packs, ready-to-eat boxes, non-food items, other food items, and financial assistance.)

The department also provided burial assistance for families of the fatalities.

"Dito sa Cordillera Administrative Region, nakapagpahatid tayo ng tulong pampalibing, tulong pang-medical doon sa mga nasugatan sa mga landslide," said Dumlao.

(Here in the Cordillera Administrative Region, we were able to deliver burial assistance, as well as medical assistance for those injured in the landslides.)

Transitory shelter assistance were also provided by the DSWD, Dumlao added.

"Gayun din 'yung mga landslide victim sa Baguio, nag-provide tayo ng transitory shelter assistance, 'yung pang-upa nila for three to six months habang inaayos ng local government unit 'yung paglilipatan nila," she said.

(Likewise for the landslide victims in Baguio, we provided transitory shelter assistance, which covers their rent for three to six months while the local government unit arranges the site where they will be relocated.)

Prepositioned relief goods

The DSWD assured that there are enough family food packs as 3.8 million packs are prepositioned nationwide.

Dumlao also said that the distribution of relief assistance will continue amid the threat of incoming weather disturbances in the coming days.

"Nagpapatuloy ito especially we are expecting another weather system to be affecting the country in the coming days," said Dumlao.

(This is ongoing, especially as we are expecting another weather system to affect the country in the coming days.)

State weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring three tropical cyclones outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), including Typhoon Saudel, which has intensified

Saudel is expected to become a super typhoon outside PAR then enter PAR as a typhoon on Monday. It is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon.

Latest data showed that 7.4 million, or 2.1 million families were affected by Habagat and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay. —KG, GMA News