DSWD extending aid to thousands of flood victims

RETRIEVAL Police officers and members of a rescue team recover the body of a landslide fatality during retrieval operations in Oroquieta City on Sunday. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said thousands of food packs and millions of pesos in cash aid have been allocated for victims of massive flooding that struck parts of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao over the weekend.

“The Department, in coordination with concerned LGUs, will continue to ensure that the needs of the affected families are provided for especially during the holidays,” the DSWD said in a statement.

The DSWD said  60,905 family food packs have been made available atDisaster Response Centers that could augment the resources of local government units affected by the calamity, which has resulted in at least 13 deaths.

The agency also said it has ₱56.50 million quick response funds that can be used for emergency relief supplies, while ₱75.56 million are also available in DSWD Field Offices which may address the needs of displaced persons.

Heavy rains in parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao resulted in the death of at least 13 persons, while 23 more remain missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council repoerted Tuesday morning.

In its Tuesday’s 11:00 a.m. update, Pagasa said the shear line will trigger moderate  to heavy and at times intense rains to Eastern Visayas, Palawan, Bohol, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and the Caraga region.

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