The Department of Social Welfare and Development continues to assist the victims of flooding brought about by the intertropical convergence zone in Regions VI, VII, IX, X and XII.

As of 12 noon today, a total of 14,717 families composed of 64,136 persons coming from the 112 barangays of the 11 municipalities and 10 cities in the eight (8) provinces of Regions VI, VII, IX, X and XII were affected by floods.

A total of 63 evacuation centers are currently providing temporary shelter to 4,720 families or 24,251 persons. Moreover, 8,875 families or 34,505 persons, who opted to stay with their relatives and friends,  are also being provided with relief assistance outside the evacuation centers.

Assistance to affected families reached P2.6 million from the combined resources of DSWD, P2.2 million and LGUs, P405,307.00.

According to  DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, P92.4 million worth of emergency relief resources are already prepositioned by the Department in all affected regions, including the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center (NROC) consisting of  standby fund (P6.3 million), 33,403 family food packs (P8.21 million), other food (P27.86 million), and non-food items (P50.06 million).

In a report submitted to Secretary Soliman, DSWD Region VII Director Mercedita Jabagat said that 46 sacks of rice worth P60,750 were distributed to displaced families in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental last October 6. Aside from this, 3,200 family packs will be sent today, October 8 to the five affected  municipalities in Negros Oriental.

In Talisay, Cebu, some 400 family food packs were sent to affected families, and additional  3,628 family food packs will be delivered to the area within this week.

The DSWD Field Offices continue to coordinate with the local social welfare and development offices in the affected areas. DSWD’s Quick Response and Action Teams in the regions are still on 24 hours duty. ###