“Ginagawa namin ang lahat upang makauwi na kayo at makabalik na kayo sa inyong mga tahanan, at makabalik sa inyong mga trabaho (We are doing everything to get you back to your homes, and return to your jobs).”

This was the statement made by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he led the distribution of assistance to displaced residents affected by the heavy rains and floods brought by the shear line in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental today, January 11.

President Marcos was joined by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Officer-in-Charge Eduardo M. Punay during the distribution held at Gingoog City Hall Gym.

Some 1,500 beneficiaries received around Php 7.5 million worth of cash assistance and family food packs (FFPs) during the aid distribution, organized by the Office of the President, in coordination with DSWD-Field Office X and the local government.

As of press time, food and non-food items worth more than Php 45 million was already delivered to local government units (LGUs) experiencing the effects of a shear line in the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Assistance to areas affected by other weather disturbances

In Eastern Visayas, as part of its continuing relief operations, DSWD Field Office VIII on Tuesday, January 10, provided FFPs to the families affected by the effects of shear line in the municipalities of Sulat, Quinapondan, and Guiuan in Eastern Samar.

Meanwhile, the Department is also continuing its disaster response operations in areas affected by other weather disturbances across the country.

The DSWD extended augmentation assistance worth more than Php 16 million to towns currently experiencing the effects of the trough of a low pressure area in Regions III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V, VI, VIII, X, XI, and Caraga.

In Zamboanga Peninsula, the DSWD FO IX has prepositioned FFPs worth Php 6 million and non-food items worth Php 1.6 million in various localities. Regional Quick Response Teams of the FO are also on standby for possible deployment to disaster-affected areas.

In Cagayan Valley, DSWD Field Office II provided assistance worth Php 737,909 to localities experiencing inclement weather due to the effects of the Northeast Monsoon in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Quirino.

Currently, the DSWD maintains stockpiles and standby funds worth over Php 1.27 billion ready for augmentation to concerned LGUs, if requested. 

The Department will continue to monitor and coordinate with LGUs to ensure that all affected families will receive sufficient aid. ###