QUEZON CITY -- As part of its resource augmentation to local government units (LGUs), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues the provision of family food packs (FFPs) and other non-food items to localities affected by Typhoon Odette.
Based on the December 20 report, some P8.4 million worth of humanitarian assistance was initially augmented by the DSWD to affected LGUs in Regions MIMAROPA, VI, VIII, X, XI, and Caraga. As first responders, concerned cities and municipalities provided assistance to families hit by the typhoon amounting to more than P6 million.
In addition, concerned DSWD-Field Offices also continue with their repacking activities to ensure the availability of relief items that will be distributed to LGUs.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was joined by DSWD Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista and Senator Bong Go as he visited Caraga on December 18. The DSWD allotted additional 35,000 FFPs for the region.
Moreover, some 1,212 hygiene kits, 1,000 food packs, 300 rolls of laminated sacks, and other non-food items such as family kits, sleeping kits, and collapsible water containers are in transit, as of press time, via the presidential vessel, “Ang Pangulo”, bound for Siargao. Likewise, DSWD-Caraga initially delivered 5,000 FFPs both for the Province of Dinagat Islands and Siargao via Philippine Navy and Montenegro Shipping.
To date, more than 452,000 families or 1.8 million individuals from Regions V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, MIMAROPA and Caraga have been affected by Odette. Over 109,000 families or around 438,000 individuals are currently staying in 2,481 evacuation centers in the affected regions.
The Department continues to closely coordinate with LGUs to assess how the affected population can be better assisted. All concerned DSWD Field Offices are working with partner-agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Navy for prompt delivery of relief items to disaster areas.
Furthermore, the DSWD assured the public that it has sufficient relief items for distribution to affected localities. In fact, as of December 20, the Department maintains stockpiles and standby funds amounting to more than P944 million. Over 377,000 family food packs are also prepositioned in strategic locations around the country.
While the DSWD has sufficient resources to sustain disaster operations, interested donors may send their cash donations to the following:DOLLAR SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Account Name: DSWD FOREIGN DONATION
Account Number: 3124-0055-81
Swift Code: TLBPPHMMXXX
Bank Address: Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch, Constitution Hills, Quezon City
PESO SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Account Name: DSWD DONATION FUND
Account Number: 3122-1011-84
Bank Address: Land Bank of the Philippines, Batasan Branch, Constitution Hills, Quezon City
For in-kind donation, interested donors may proceed directly to the DSWD Field Office nearest them or to the Donations Facilitation Section at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City with telephone numbers 8-335-2849 and 8-8852-8081.
The Department vowed to assist LGUs to ensure that the needs of affected families are addressed. (DSWD)
