QUEZON CITY -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo thanked the different agencies and organizations that donated cash, goods, and other relief items for the victims of the recent magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck some parts of Luzon.

On July 31, the Office of the President donated a total of 76 units of 1.5 and 8.5 kilo-volt-amperes (kVA) generators and 60 portable rice mill machines to the Province of Abra.

DSWD Field Office I also received donations of 521 boxes of bottled water, 60 boxes of canned goods, 33 boxes of instant noodles, 19 packs of assorted biscuits, 35 packs of 5-kilogram (kg) rice, four (4) packs of 10kg rice, 15 packs of fruit juice, and one (1) pack of assorted goods amounting to P350,000.00 from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Likewise, 1,000 plastic tarpaulins/shelter tarps amounting to P3,000,000 were donated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for augmentation to the affected LGUs

On the other hand, a total of P25,278,440.79 worth of assistance has been provided to more than 100,000 families or around 389,046 individuals affected by the quake, as of 6 AM Monday, August 1. Of which, more than P21.9 million came from the DSWD, P1.9 million was provided by the local government units (LGUs), P1.3 million was from non-government organizations, and P33,000 from other partners.

As he expressed his gratitude, Secretary Tulfo also asked for a moment to pray for the souls of those who perished during the Northern Luzon earthquake. (DSWD)