DSWD distributes P5-M worth of aid in quake-hit areas in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday distributed more than P5.1-million worth of aid to earthquake victims in Mindanao.

The agency reported that as of Sunday, November 19, it has provided family food packs (FFPs) to a total of 6,600 families in Sarangani province and General Santos City.

Likewise, six bereaved families who lost their loved ones due to the quake have each received cash assistance worth P10,000, DSWD said.

READ: Magnitude 4.9 earthquake rocks Anahawan, Southern Leyte

“We assure the public that the DSWD is on top of the situation and our communication lines are always open for augmentation requests from LGUs affected by the tremor,” DSWD Spokesperson Romel Lopez said.

An estimated 1,000 families in 25 barangays have been affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake on Friday, November 17, the agency reported.

READ: Tulfo to oversee Mindanao earthquake response, says Romualdez

In the same report, it said that a total of 22 houses were totally damaged while 48 were partially damaged in the provinces of Davao Occidental, Sarangani, and South Cotabato.

Presently, the DSWD said that it holds standby and stockpile funds amounting to more than P2.8 billion designated for its disaster response efforts.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit a large portion of Mindanao on Friday afternoon, with the highest reported intensity felt in the municipality of Glan, Sarangani Province.