DSWD, LGUs continue relief work

MANILA, Philippines - The weather may be improving but for government relief agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), their task has just begun.

The DSWD would be working closely with local government units (LGUs) in providing relief goods and services to the thousands of evacuees affected by the floods.

The distribution of relief goods and other assistance started in earnest Thursday and is seen to extend to this weekend.

With tight relief supplies and more than a million affected people in Luzon, the DSWD said it would closely monitor the distribution of family food packs, bottled water, and other relief items to ensure that rightful beneficiaries receive assistance.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said the local Social Welfare and Development Offices are now using the Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC) to register affected families as well as list down the types of assistance provided to them.

“The DAFAC is one way to monitor if a family is underserved or overserved. It confirms that a family is a victim of disaster and is eligible to receive relief assistance,” Soliman said.

As of noon yesterday, 70,818 family food packs amounting to P17.7 million have been distributed to 66 LGUs, with additional 6,395 packs for distribution the rest of the day.

Also, 99,088 bottles of purified water were distributed to 28 LGUs in Metro Manila and Region 3.

The DSWD said 58,676 family food packs worth P14.67 million and other relief items worth P89.87 million are being earmarked to augment resources of affected LGUs in Metro Manila, the Cordillera region, Regions 1, 3, 4-A and 5-B, if needed.

As of yesterday afternoon, Metro Manila registered the highest number of evacuees at 20,261 families composed of 91,941 persons in 250 evacuation sites, followed by Calabarzon at 14,396 families or 62,951 persons in 202 evacuation centers.

The DSWD counted 45,485 families composed of 200,763 persons still staying in 784 evacuation centers as of yesterday, while 124,827 families with 582,281 persons sought refuge in their friends’ and relatives’ houses, but nonetheless continue to receive relief assistance.

On the other hand, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said at least 4,000 workers in three regions nationwide have been displaced by the calamity.

Nicon Fameronag, DOLE-labor communication office director, said they are currently undertaking profiling of the typhoon-affected workers.

“Based on reports from different regions, about 2,104 workers have been affected in Calabarzon and will be provided emergency employment,” Fameronag disclosed.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said the government is exerting all efforts to extend relief and assistance to the victims.

He said the government is working for the construction of spillways in different rivers in the country to prevent massive flooding in low-lying areas in Metro Manila.

Binay said the Office of the Vice President (OVP) is busy conducting relief operations in Metro Manila and in Northern Luzon to help the victims of flooding in the area. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Evelyn Macairan, Michelle Zoleta