The Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in the field offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) remain on 24/7 operations to assist local government units (LGUs)  in responding to the needs of families affected by heavy rains brought about by the Southwest Monsoon or ‘Habagat’.

As of July 20, 12 noon, the DSWD has released some P5,083,760 worth of  assistance  to augment the resources of affected LGUs in Regions III and IV-B (MIMAROPA).

The Department also maintains its vigilant coordination with LGUs  in Regions VI, National Capital Region (NCR), and CALABARZON for the provision of relief assistance.

As of press time,  the Department has recorded a total of 46,934 families or 190,295 persons affected by the heavy southwest monsoon rains in the said regions.

Most of the affected families or 40,637 are from Region III, with the breakdown as follows: 18,163 affected families in Bataan; 14,893 in Pampanga; 7,295 in Bulacan; and the rest are from Tarlac and Zambales.

A total of 711 families or 2,581 persons are staying in 34 evacuation centers in Regions III, NCR, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.  On the other hand, 39,126 families or 166,322 persons in Regions III and VI are currently staying with their relatives and friends.

Some 152 houses were reported damaged in Regions III and VI with eight totally damaged and 144 partially damaged.

DSWD Secretary Virginia N. Orogo reiterated the readiness of the Department to respond to the needs of the affected areas.

“DSWD is prepared and ready to augment the resources of the LGUs.  Food and non-food items have already been prepositioned.  The Department is also ready to deploy its social workers for psychosocial intervention once needed,” Sec. Orogro said.

The Secretary also urged the public to be safe amid warning from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) that heavy rains will continue today with another low-pressure area being monitored. ###