The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  announced today that it has provided a total of  2,400 food packs  to local government units in the Bicol Region devastated by Typhoon Glenda, to augment the resources of the hardest hit cities and municipalities.

As of 4 pm today, 809 evacuation centers in the region remain open housing 79, 294 families or 182, 823 persons while 18,828 families or 92,292 persons outside the evacuation centers are also being assisted.

Meanwhile, the number of totally damaged houses reached 7,993 while partially damaged houses numbered 27,802.

While the damage to property and agricultural crops was massive, the DSWD lauded the affected LGUs for achieving practically zero casualty in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. To date, only one casualty was reported in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, an elderly woman hit by a falling tree, while three were injured.

The small number of casualty proved that the LGUs’ disaster preparedness measures, such as pre-emptive evacuation and information dissemination was effective.

The DSWD assured the affected LGUs that it will continue to assist them as the need arises.

Currently, DSWD Field Office V has available 3,780 family food packs at the regional warehouse and in Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City.  ###