Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman led the distribution of 5,000 relief packs  for Typhoon ‘Pablo’ victims in Monkayo, Campostela Valley recently, together with Governor Arturo T. Uy (far right).  The food packs, amounting to 1.25 million pesos, were provided by DSWD to augment the resources of the Local Government Unit (LGU) in responding to the food needs of the victim. 

Also present during the distribution of goods were Monkayo Mayor Manuel B. Brillantes Jr., 1st District Representative Maria Carmen Zamora and DSWD Field Office Director Priscilla Razon.

DSWD Field Office XI provided 5,000 food packs amounting to P1.5million as augmentation support to Laak, Campostela Valley  recently.

The said goods were received by Laak Mayor Reynaldo B. Navarro and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Vivian Sumangil which were distributed to the victims.  Grateful for the augmentation support, Mayor Navarro said he could not express in words how much thankful he is for DSWD, World Food Programme and other generous organizations for their assistance.

The Department of Social Welfare, together with the local disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs) at all levels, local and international agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) are currently undertaking  a saturated and massive relief distribution to address the emergency food requirements of the affected families, especially in isolated areas.

As of December 17, cost of assistance to 199,991 families or 840,172 persons affected by typhoon “Pablo” has reached P94,599,037.00.  Of the total amount, P55,424,720.00 came from DSWD; P29,124,590.00 came from LGUs and P10,049,727.00 came from NGOs and other GOs.

A total of 265,002 food packs amounting to P52,153,970.00 were distributed to Baganga, D.O. (49,154); Boston, D.O. (8,872); Cateel, D.O. (32,464); Compostela, ComVal (46,146); Monkayo, ComVal (81,652); New Bataan, ComVal (31,378); and Montevista, ComVal (15,336).  Non-food items such as clothings, kitchen utensils, mats, blankets, towels and flashlights amounting to P842,874.02 were also distributed to affected families in these areas.

According to DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman,  21 evacuation camps are still housing 2,463 families.  DSWD also serves 96,267 families outside of the evacuation centers in Baganga, Boston and Cateel, Davao Oriental; Compostela, Monkayo, New Bataan, and Montevista, Compostela Valley.

Likewise, 15 debriefers are deployed in Baganga, Boston, Cateel, Monkayo and New Bataan (3 debriefers each) to render critical incidence stress debriefing (CISD) to help the survivors cope with their traumatic experiences.

Hard-to-reach barangays in Caraga (Barangay San Antonio), Baganga (Barangay Lamiawan), Monkayo (Barangay Bantacan and Barangay Diwalwal) and New Bataan (San Mariano) are being serviced by choppers from Mati City and Nabunturan town.

Secretary Soliman informed the survivors that they will be provided “noche buena” packs for Christmas.

Police Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome today turned over a replica of a P2 million check to DSWD F.O. XI as contribution of members of the Philippine National Police for victims of typhoon Pablo. The money will be used in building permanent houses of the victims. ###