By Arabella Asis
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Thursday, April 13, that distribution of relief packs to typhoon-hit regions is underway.
At the Laging Handa public briefing on Thursday, DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said they have distributed nearly P109,000-worth of humanitarian aid for residents affected by the Tropical Depression (TD) “Amang.”
“Noong malaman pa lang natin na nagbabadya na ‘yung sama ng panahon dito sa Philippine Area of Responsibility, nagbaba kaagad ng direktiba si [DSWD] Secretary Rex Gatchalian sa ating mga field office na maaaring maapektuhan ng Tropical Depression Amang,” he stated.
Lopez said they are already in close coordination with the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP), Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), for monitoring the situation and the effect of TD Amang on various locations.
“‘Pag maigi ang ating koordinasyon sa mga national government agencies, napapabilis ‘yung ating pagpapaabot o pagbababa ng tulong doon naman sa mga LGU,” Lopez explained.
Lopez said some 2,196 individuals are currently staying in evacuation centers in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Davao del Sur.
In a separate statement on April 12, the DSWD said its central office, field offices, and the National Resource Operations Center have stockpiles and standby funds amounting to P1,430,634,097.94.
The DSWD assured the public of its continuous monitoring and response. For concerns, the department can be reached through its operation center trunkline 8931-8101 to 07 or e-mail at aoc@dswd.gov.ph. – cf
