DSWD: P8 million fund on standby for those affected by Neneng

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — At least P8 million worth of funds are ready to be allocated to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Neneng (international name: Nesat) in the Ilocos region, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in a statement Sunday, Oct. 16.

The financial aid would be lifted from the agency’s quick response fund, the DSWD said.

The agency added that it has 31,702 family food packs amounting to over P20 million prepositioned at its regional office and satellite warehouses across the region to be distributed to those who had to flee their homes due to floods.

At least 12,654 non-food items worth P33 million were also prepared to be distributed, the DSWD said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin that Neneng has further intensified as it moves Westward away from Babuyan Island at 25 km/h.

It has “maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and central pressure of 980 hPa,” Pagasa said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 prevails over the southern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Uyugan, Ivana, Sabtang) and Babuyan Islands while TCWS No. 2 is raised in the rest of Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Lagayan), and Ilocos Norte. TCWS No. 1 prevails over several areas of northern Luzon.

READ: Flooding can get worse as Neneng nears northern Luzon