Gov't readies P90M for quake relief operations

MANILA, Philippines - Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman said the national government has readied almost P90 million worth of relief goods for the residents in four regions affected by the major earthquake in Visayas on Tuesday.

In her official Twitter account, Soliman said the government allocated a standby fund worth P89.731 million for Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Davao region for relief operations.

She also said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already prepositioned P8.75 million worth of food and non-food items for the earthquake-affected families.

She added that an additional P10 million standby fund is being processed for relief operations in Central Luzon.

The additional fund is for the "for the projected relief needs of the affected population," Soliman said.

Soliman said that they have also sent aid to the victims of a stampede in Toledo City and Pinamungahan town in the Visayas Region, during the 7.2 earthquake this morning.

The stampede happened during the pay-out of cash grants to beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the areas.

A total of 34 people were injured and a four-year-old child died in the stampede.

The DSWD in Cebu City also reported that its Crisis Intervention Unit building and the Reception and Study Center for Children was damaged by the quake.

It said that the babies under the care of the center have been transferred to a safer building.

Soliman said she has instructed DSWD regional offices in the earthquake-hit regions to check on all the the socila welfare centers and institutions to ensure the safety of the residents.