The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said today that more than P12 million worth of food and non-food assistance has been distributed to the victims of torrential rains brought by “Habagat.”

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano- Soliman, of the said total amount, about P3,182,658 came from the national government through DSWD, while concerned LGUs extended P901,605.  Other government agencies and NGOs also provided assistance amounting to some P7,951,428.

Secretary Soliman said that heavy rains caused by ‘Habagat’ affected 124,147 families or 592,893 persons in 11 cities, 36 municipalities and 7 provinces in the country. Most of those affected are in the provinces of Bataan, Zambales, Laguna, Cavite and Rizal.

She added that the DSWD is still serving 5,692 families comprising 24,889 individuals in 101 evacuation centers in the National Capital Region, Region 3, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.

Secretary Soliman also reiterated the assurance that there are still enough relief supplies for affected families.

In Region III, DSWD has prepositioned P7.7 million worth of emergency relief resources consisting of standby funds (P1,771,462), 3,627 family food packs (P906,750), other food items (P1 million) and non-food items (P4 million) for augmentation to any type of disasters in the region.

Likewise, the DSWD is now processing the release of P350,000 financial assistance to 31 bereaved families at P10,000 each and 8 injured persons at P5,000 each for landslide victims in Subic and Castillejos, Zambales.

Moreover, the DSWD will transport today to Region III 2,000 family kits worth P2,067,560 composed of kaldero, kawa, ladle, drinking glasses, spoon and fork, plates, mats, blankets and mosquito nets at P1,033.78 per kit.

“We are continuously assessing the needs of affected families to determine other priority assistance given to them,” Secretary Soliman added. ###