In a press conference here, DSWD 6 Information Officer lawyer May Rago Castillo said a total of 5,326 families were affected composed of 25,737 individuals when government troopers and suspected members of the New People’s Army exchanged gun fires in different locations of the province.

These include encounters in the city of Himamaylan in the Barangays of Carabalan, Cabadiangan, and Brgy. III Poblacion.

Another clash took place in Brgy. Biao, Binalbagan town.

A total of 2,136 family food packs have been distributed to the victims with an estimated value of more than P1.2 million. Some 105 hygiene kits were also given out with a value of P154,717.

One hundred five family kits were given to the victims worth P242, 600; 105 sleeping kits were also handed out worth P133,350.

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) was also extended to 3,313 individuals in the amount of more than P10 million. (AAL/Lljr/PIA 6 Negros Occidental)