DSWD exec: Over P6.6M worth of assistance provided to residents affected by Taal Volcano unrest

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said more than P6.6 million worth of assistance have been provided to affected residents following the Taal Volcano unrest.

At the Laging Handa briefing, DSWD spokesperson Director Irene Dumlao said the department is coordinating with local government units in providing assistance and augmentation for affected residents in Batangas due to Taal’s volcanic activity.

“Ang pagbibigay po ng augmentation support ay alinsunod sa mga policy at guidelines na pinapatupad po natin sa mga panahong ito batay doon sa 6 p.m., April 11 report, mahigit P6.6 million na tulong or cost of assistance ang naipamahagi na sa mga residente ng batangas na naapektuhan ng volcanic activity ng Taal,” Dumlao said.

(As of the 6 p.m. April 11 report, the augmentation support in accordance with the policies and guidelines that we are implementing, more than P6.6 million in assistance or cost of assistance has been distributed to the residents of Batangas who are affected by the volcanic activity of Taal.)

“Mula po sa nasabing halaga mahigit P1.6 million ang halaga ng augmentation assistance na ang galing po sa DSWD, higit P5 million worth of assistance ang naipamahagi ng mga local na pamahalaan sa kanilang apektadong nasasakupan,” she added.

(Of the said amount, more than P1.6 million is the amount of augmentation assistance from the DSWD, while more than P5 million worth of assistance has been distributed by local governments in their affected areas.)

Dumlao assured the public that the DSWD will extend its assistance to LGUs and affected residents during calamities.

“Sa panahon po ng sakuna at kalamidad ang una pong nagpapahatid ng tulong ay ang lokal na pamahalaan and the DSWD as part of our mandate provides resource augmentation and technical assistance to the LGUs,” she added.

(During disasters and calamities, the first to deliver assistance is the local government and the DSWD as part of our mandate provides resource augmentation and technical assistance to the LGUs.)

On Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology lowered the alert level of Taal Volcano in Batangas from Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) to Alert Level 2 (decreased unrest).

PHIVOLCS said only 86 volcanic earthquakes that are of small magnitude and are imperceptible have been recorded since March 26. — RSJ, GMA News