The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported on Friday (November 24) that the agency has already provided more than Php37.2 million worth of aid to the families and individuals affected by the flooding and landslide incidents brought by the Shear Line and Low-Pressure Area (LPA) in the Eastern Visayas region.

“Our Field Office in Eastern Visayas has been sending assistance non-stop to the affected families and individuals,” Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications Romel Lopez said during the  Weekend Report aired live on the DSWD Facebook Page.

“As of November 24, DSWD Eastern Visayas has provided Php37.2 million worth of family food packs (FFPs), which is equivalent to 49,566 boxes,” according to Asst. Sec. Lopez, who is also the DSWD spokesperson.

The FFPs were distributed to families affected by the flooding incidents in Naval, Biliran; municipalities of Arteche, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog, and Oras in Eastern Samar; Calbayog City, Gandara, San Jorge, and Sta. Margarita in Samar; and Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Capul, Catubig, Lapinig, Las Navas, Lavezares, Palapag, Lope de Vega, Laoang, Mapanas, San Roque, San Antonio, San Vicente in Northern Samar.

“Families affected by the landslide incident in Bontoc, Southern Leyte were also reached by our Field Office,” Asst. Sec. Lopez pointed out.

Provision of FFPs and assorted non-food items (NFIs) as augmentation support to all other local government units (LGUs) is also being facilitated by the FO in Eastern Visayas.

The DSWD FO-8 has also mobilized its satellite office for the immediate distribution of relief items.

“Currently, DSWD FO-8 maintains more than Php6 million standby funds and over Php 127.8 million worth of FFPs and NFIs prepositioned in strategic locations in the region and ready to be sent to local government units (LGUs) needing further augmentation assistance from the department,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

Earlier today, DSWD Secretary Gatchalian was in Northern Samar where he met with local officials and led the distribution of relief items to internally displaced individuals.

The DSWD Secretary ordered Field Office 8 to ensure that communication lines are open to all LGUs at all times for the provision of needed resources and other appropriate interventions. #