DSWD's aid for Carina, habagat-hit families hits P200-M mark

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) humanitarian aid to residents affected by Typhoon Carina and enhanced southwest monsoon or "habagat" has reached the P200-million mark, an official said on Monday.

"This is a reflection of the agency's commitment to help the rightful beneficiaries of government resources, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that no one is left behind in times of emergencies," DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a news release.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian earlier directed the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) and the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) to continue assisting all flood-hit and habagat-affected families until they have fully recovered from the disaster.

The P200 million worth of aid covers food, non-food and financial assistance provided to the affected population in the National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Based on the monitoring of the impact of the twin weather disturbance, the DSWD has so far recorded 1,892 damaged houses, with 168 totally and 1,724 partially damaged.

In the Bicol Region, the DSWD Field Office 5 continued its distribution of cash aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) on Sunday intended for families in Sipocot, Camarines Sur who were affected by flooding from the disasters.

Three families in the area with totally damaged houses received P10,000 each, while two families with partially damaged houses were granted P5,000 each.

"Our Field Offices also continue to coordinate with concerned local government units to identify the other needs of the affected families vital to their recovery," Dumlao, assistant secretary for DRMG, added. (PNA)