QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed more than 175,000 family food packs following the devastation of Typhoon Odette in Mindanao and Visayas, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista said.

In his report to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Bautista said the DSWD continues to extend assistance to individuals, make payouts for burials, and medical and financial assistance based on the assessment of social workers.

In terms of food packs sent to affected areas from DSWD’s main warehouse in Pasay City, Bautista said more than 100,000 family food packs were shipped to different field locations.

The DSWD is also facilitating the distribution of food and non-food items donated by other countries, the DSWD head said, thanking the Philippines’s neighboring countries in Asia for sending rice, potable water, power generator sets and many more.

Also, food and non-food items from local donors were already transported to Surigao del Norte before Christmas, with the assistance of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Sending the relief goods to areas devastated by the typhoon will not be possible without the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PCG, according to Bautista.

“Ganoon din ‘yung ating kapulisan kasi ang ating kapulisan, bukod sa peace and order na binibigay nila sa ating mga food and non-food items, sila na rin po ang nagbubuhat at nagkakarga pag-akyat ng family food packs sa mga air and naval assets at pagbaba nito sa kanilang mga destinasyon,” he said.

Currently, the DSWD still has P869 million standby fund, the DSWD chief said.

Payouts have been ongoing in Dapa, Siargao, Bautista said, noting the DSWD targets to hand over assistance to 14,000 beneficiaries.

Similar handout will be done Negros Oriental, Bohol and Palawan. More than 100,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive the support in Bohol, while 50,000 will get it in six priority areas in Palawan.

The DSWD has been working with local government units (LGUs) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in conducting post-disaster needs assessment.

Psychosocial first aid interventions are also being conducted to individuals and families affected by Typhoon Odette with the help of the Department of Health, the social welfare secretary said.

There are around 700,000 families currently in 7,400 evacuation centers in regions affected by Typhoon Odette, while 260,000 families displaced by the weather disturbance are being sheltered elsewhere. (PND)