QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started its relief operations to assist local government units (LGUs) in responding to the immediate needs of families and individuals affected by various weather disturbances in the country.

As the Northeast Monsoon or ‘amihan’, Shear Line, and the trough of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) continue to bring heavy rains in much of the Philippines, the DSWD assured the public that it has already prepositioned relief items in strategic locations and has enough funds to provide resource augmentation to LGUs.

To date, the Department maintains standby funds amounting to more than Php100 million while more than 85,200 Family Food Packs (FFPs) are also available in the Central Office and its Field Offices.

Effects of the Trough of an LPA in Mindanao

The Department, through its Field Office XI, has already provided humanitarian assistance worth more than Php123,300 to the residents affected by the heavy rains brought about by the trough of an LPA in Davao del Norte.

Based on the latest report, a total of 8,259 families or 30,217 individuals from Davao del Norte and Lanao del Norte are affected by the weather disturbance. Of this number, some 687 families or 3,116 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in 10 evacuation centers in the said provinces.

A total of 70 families or 277 individuals decided to stay with their relatives and friends.

Field Offices X and XI have more than 53,900 food packs that are available for distribution to localities if the need arises.

Flooding incidents in MIMAROPA Region

Following the flooding incidents caused by the heavy rains brought by ‘Amihan,’ the DSWD, through its FO-MIMAROPA, has already provided more than Php1.9 million worth of humanitarian assistance to the affected population in Palawan and Oriental Mindoro.

In addition, the Field Office has provided 2,500 FFPs to the LGU of Brooke’s Point and 1,500 FFPs to the municipality of Sofronio Española with a total amount of Php2.4 million.

A report from the FO-MIMAROPA said that some 6,048 families or 28,226 individuals in 62 barangays in the said provinces are affected by the incident. To date, 23 families or 125 persons are currently taking temporary shelter in an evacuation center in Oriental Mindoro while 103 families of 487 individuals are staying with their relatives or friends.

Likewise, the Field Office reported that 285 houses in the region were damaged by the flooding incident.

More than 50,000 food packs at the Field Office-MIMAROPA are ready for distribution anytime.

Effects of ‘Amihan’ in Bicol Region

The DSWD ensures the availability of food and non-food items for resource augmentation to LGUs in the Bicol Region that have been affected by the heavy rains brought about by the Northeast Monsoon.

Through its Field Office V, the Department has already replenished the relief goods and other items in its satellite and LGU warehouses. To date, more than 41,500 FFPs and 50,900 non-food items are available for distribution.

The Field Office reported that some 40 families or 129 individuals are affected by the weather disturbance in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

Effects of Shear Line

As the Shear Line continues to affect much of the country, the Department, through its concerned Field Offices, has provided assistance to the affected population amounting to more than Php36.8 million.

As of January 4, the DSWD reported that some 161,145 families of 645,087 individuals are affected by the weather disturbance in Regions V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, Caraga, and BARMM.

The report, likewise, noted that more than 6,600 families or 24,193 persons are still currently taking temporary shelter in 134 evacuation centers set up by the concerned localities in Regions V, IX, X, and Caraga.

Moreover, a total of 164 families, or 729 individuals decided to stay with their relatives or friends.

The DSWD, through its Field Offices, continues to coordinate with the local authorities to ensure that appropriate interventions are provided to the affected population in a timely manner. (DSWD)