By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as of 6:00 a.m. today (Dec. 20), has distributed P7.3 million worth of relief goods to Filipinos who were affected by Typhoon Odette.
DSWD Spokesperson Irene Dumlao during the Laging Handa public briefing said the typhoon affected more than 1.8 million Filipinos or more than 450,000 families in more than 3,000 barangays.
Aside from the family food packs, DSWD has also distributed P1.1 million worth of sleeping kits and beds.
“May mga family food packs na naihatid na rin sa province of Dinagat Islands and Siargao. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng ating koordinasyon with the Philippine Army and Montenegro Shipping,” Dumlao said.
“Sa iba’t-ibang offices ng DSWD, mayroong mga stockpiles tayo. And, in fact, sa Region 9 and Region 12, sila po nakapaghatid rin ng augmentation sa ating field office sa Caraga.”
In Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas, the distribution of family food packs to affected local government units continues.
According to Dumlao, the P900 million budget that was allotted for relief operations includes the stockpile of goods.
“Itong mahigit P900 million na inilaan nga po para sa relief operations, kinabibilangan ng mga naka-preposition at stockpile natin na goods. Ganoon din iyong ating standby funds. Nandiyan din po ang ating quick response funds,” Dumlao said.
“Ngayon po, iyong doon sa ating standby funds, ginagamit natin iyan para naman sa pag-purchase ng additional raw materials for the family food packs na nire-repack natin,” she added. -rir
