CEBU CITY, Cebu, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Central Visayas (DSWD-7) has released a total of P108,351,981 worth of relief assistance to areas in this region greatly affected by the onslaught of Super Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) on Dec. 16.

DSWD-7 said there are now 3,291,794 affected individuals or 1,027,730 affected families from the 2,760 barangays in all 132 affected local government units (LGUs) in Central Visayas.

The number of typhoon-hit LGUs per province are as follows: 48 in Bohol, 53 in Cebu, 25 in Negros Oriental, and six in Siquijor.

Of the total LGUs,  94 have requested for family foods packs (FFPs) which is a total of 910,549 FFPs, but only 82 LGUs have been served with 199,099 FFPs as of Jan. 9.

DSWD-7's response rate is at 22%.

The relief goods consist of 199,099 FFPs with a total cost of P105,522,470.

The department said the relief aid includes non-food items worth P2,829,511 provided to the LGUs of Sibonga in Cebu Province, Loboc in Bohol, and Manjuyod town in Negros Oriental.

Meanwhile, DSWD-7 received an estimated P9.5-M worth of donations from the Government of Taiwan, Kamiko Cargo Movers, the Department of Health, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

DSWD-7 staff and volunteers from various organizations helped in the repacking of FFPs and other relief goods, and in the releasing, loading, and escorting of relief items to different transportation channels.

To fast-track the distribution of aid in remote areas, the Armed Forces of the Philippines lent their black hawk choppers, while the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Marines also utilized their vessels and marine patrol boats to reach victims residing in island barangays.

Likewise, private sector partners, namely Maayo Shipping, Matiao Trucking, and Cebu Oversea Hardware Co., Inc., through the Cebu Contractors Association, assisted in the distribution of relief assistance using their wing vans for point-to-point delivery and hauling services of raw materials. (IDC/PIA with reports from DSWD-7)