The humanitarian aid provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families and individuals affected by Typhoon Carina and the Habagat has reached the Php200 million mark, an official of the Disaster Response and Management Group (DRMG) said on Monday (July 29).

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has earlier directed the DRMG as well as the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) to continue assisting all flood-hit and Habagat-affected families until they have fully recovered from the disaster.

“This is a reflection of the agency’s commitment to help the rightful beneficiaries of government resources, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to ensure that no one is left behind in times of emergencies,” said DRMG Asst Secretary Irene Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson.

The Php200 million worth of aid covers food, non-food and financial assistance provided to the affected population in the National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, the Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Based on the monitoring of the impact of the twin weather disturbance, the DSWD has so far recorded 1,892 damaged houses, with 168 totally and 1,724 partially damaged.

In the Bicol Region, the DSWD Field Office 5 continued its distribution of cash aid through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) on Sunday (July 28) intended for families in Sipocot, Camarines Sur who were affected by flooding from the disasters.

Three families with totally damaged houses received Php10,000 each, while two families with partially damaged houses were granted Php5,000 each.

“Our Field Offices also continue to coordinate with concerned local government units to identify the other needs of the affected families vital to their recovery,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.#