DSWD: Over 700 victims of Typhoon Betty seek refuge in 27 evacuation sites

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported on Wednesday that a total of 729 individuals or 185 families in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon were displaced and are now seeking temporary respite in 27 evacuation shelters following Typhoon Betty’s devastation.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the DSWD has partnered with concerned local government units to monitor the evacuees’ conditions and observe 10 other families across two evacuation centers in Western Visayas displaced by monsoon rains.

DSWD Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) added that as of Tuesday, the welfare authority has already provided an initial P150,157 in aid to typhoon-hit families in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions and P484,972 in assistance to families affected by the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by Typhoon Betty.

The welfare department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, administered through its Field Office I in Ilocos, has given financial aid to two families in Pangasinan who have suffered damage due to the typhoon. One family, whose house was severely damaged by a fallen tree, received P10,000 to support their recovery. Meanwhile, another family whose home sustained partial damage was granted P5,000 to assist with necessary repairs.

The two families also received 10 family food packs, two laminated sacks, and five each hygiene kits, sleeping kits, family kits, and kitchen kits from the field office, according to DSWD.

The social welfare bureau also reported that 1,305 family food packs were distributed to fishers whose livelihoods were hit by a no-sailing policy implemented in Dingalan, Aurora.

DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the agency would keep repacking and prepositioning relief goods to ensure adequate supplies in affected areas.

“Secretary Gatchalian has already instructed all DSWD Field Offices to continue the replenishment of food and non-food items in all regional warehouses and disaster hubs to guarantee enough assistance to displaced families and individuals,” he said.

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