The Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed more than P549.497 million in financial assistance to families and individuals affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao in June.
DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said 95,808 families had received cash aid, including 86,251 beneficiaries of the Emergency Cash Transfer program and 9,557 recipients of assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.
“Base po sa pinakahuling ulat sa amin ng aming mga Field Offices, mahigit 95,000 na ang nahatidan natin ng financial assistance sa ilalim ng ECT at AICS. Ito yung mga pamilya na nasiraan ng bahay, tumigil ang kabuhayan, at ang iba naman ay naospital dahil sa epekto ng matinding lindol,” Dumlao, who also serves as DSWD spokesperson, said Monday, July 13.
Aside from financial assistance, the department continues to distribute family food packs, ready-to-eat food boxes, and non-food items such as kitchen kits, sleeping kits, family kits, and tents.
In the Davao Region, DSWD Field Office 11 transported 1,200 family food packs for delivery to Barangay Camalian in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.
“Patuloy po ang pagpapadala natin ng food packs sa mga apektadong lokal na pamahalaan para masiguro na may makakain ang ating mga kababayan habang nasa evacuation center,” Dumlao said.
On Sunday, July 12, DSWD Field Office 12 in SOCCSKSARGEN provided cash assistance to 59 patients admitted to hospitals in the municipalities of Maitum, Glan, and Kiamba in Sarangani.
The regional office also facilitated the distribution of family food packs to affected residents in Malungon, Sarangani; Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Koronadal City; Barangay Baliton in Glan; and Malapatan, Sarangani.
Dumlao said the continuing delivery of relief assistance was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to support earthquake-affected Mindanaoans until they fully recover.
“Kahit po may binabantayan din tayong sama ng panahon, tuloy-tuloy lamang ang pagpapadala natin ng tulong sa Mindanao. Gaya ng utos ni Secretary Rex Gatchalian at President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., hindi tayo titigil hanggang sa makabangon o maka-recover na ang ating mga kababayan sa Mindanao,” she said.