By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Responding immediately to the distressed situation of thousands of families affected by Tropical Storm ‘Aghon’ in the Bicol region, an official of the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) on Sunday (26 May 2024) disclosed that close to P1 million worth of aid has so far been extended by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said more than P972,000 worth of assistance from the DSWD and more than P316,600 from concerned local government units (LGUs) have been extended to the affected families from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon.
“The DSWD is working tirelessly in coordination with LGUs to ensure the timely distribution of relief goods and other essential services to the affected population,” Dumlao said.
She added that the agency is closely monitoring the areas affected by ‘Aghon’ and coordinating with concerned LGUs to provide immediate and appropriate assistance.
“The relief package includes food packs, hygiene kits, and other basic necessities to support the displaced families,” Dumlao bared.
Based on the latest DSWD-DRMG report, ‘Aghon’ has affected a total of 6,542 families or more than 8,200 persons from 22 barangays in Bicol, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas regions.
“We have prepositioned more than 24,900 family food packs in the said regions which are available for distribution as the need arises,” Dumlao noted.
Meanwhile, it was learned that the DSWD’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NLRMB) is set to dispatch additional boxes of food packs to Field Office 4A (CALABARZON Region) to augment the stockpile for the regional office’s disaster response efforts.
The DSWD has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow the safety guidelines issued by local authorities.
(el Amigo/mnm)
