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Officials step up aid distribution in quake-hit Surigao after complaints on slow response

Levi A. So - Philstar.com

February 13, 2017 | 7:38pm

Officials step up aid distribution in quake-hit Surigao after complaints on slow response

Family food packs were immediately brought to Surigao for distribution to the families affected by the magnitude 6.7 earthquake that hit the province on February 10.

Robinson Niñal / Presidential Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have improved the distribution of assistance in quake-hit Surigao after criticisms on the slow delivery of aid, Malacañang said.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said victims were expecting the relief goods as early as 5 a.m. but they were only distributed nine hours after.

Abella attributed the delay to the decision of local officials to give away relief goods when President Rodrigo Duterte arrives.

READ: Palace denies Duterte ordered release of P2B for quake-hit Surigao

Duterte reached Surigao City by 1 p.m. and handing out of relief goods started around 2 p.m. after the president made the initial distribution.

“The relief goods were delivered Sunday from Butuan. Distribution was initially hampered by an inadequate distribution system. The victims were already expecting the relief goods as early as 5 a.m., but the local government made a judgment call to wait for the president who arrived by 1 p.m.,” Abella said.

“Three thousand family food packs were then successfully shared after DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) Caraga officials, local government, barangay officials and Surigao City mayor worked out a more efficient distribution system,” he added.

Abella, however, did not elaborate on the new system.

READ: Phivolcs records over 140 aftershocks in Surigao City

DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo tweeted on Sunday that thousands of family food packs were to be airlifted by C130 to supplement the supplies of the local government.

Each box of family food pack contains 6 kilos of rice, 4 canned sardines, 4 canned meat & 6 sachets of coffee. @dswdserves #QuakePH pic.twitter.com/G2el0dV9gS
— DSWD Region VII (@dswdfo7) February 13, 2017

She said the agency closely coordinates with the local government "to quickly facilitate assistance to earthquake-affected communities in Surigao."

Taguiwalo also appealed for the resumption of water services, saying that it should be a priority.

National government officials led by Pres. Duterte now in Surigao to monitor developments in relief ops & to determine further help needed.
— Sec. Judy Taguiwalo (@sec_judy) February 12, 2017

Philstar.com reached out to Taguiwalo regarding the improvements in the distribution system but we have yet to receive a response as of posting.

Latest updates from the DSWD on Monday morning said the magnitude 6.7 quake that hit Friday night has affected at least 1,685 families or 8,425 people in 60 barangays in Caraga.

The powerful quake has damaged at least 1,685 houses with 130 totally damaged and 1,555 partially damaged.

The agency has provided at least P6 million in assistance to affected families. — with a report from Alexis Romero