The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided more than P315,000 in food assistance to thousands of families affected by drought in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.
Based on data from the DSWD Disaster Response Operations Monitoring, Information and Communication (DROMIC), around 2,050 families or 10,250 individuals across 13 barangays have been affected by the El Niño-induced dry spell.
Local officials in Puerto Galera declared a state of calamity on June 15 due to severe water shortages, which have disrupted farming and reduced household incomes in affected communities.
DSWD said the dry spell has significantly affected farmers in the identified barangays, with lower harvests and income losses reported amid prolonged drought.
An initial batch of 184 boxes of family food packs was delivered on June 23 to affected residents, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao.
Relief distribution was conducted in Sitio Mulle, reaching families from Barangays San Isidro, San Antonio, Poblacion, and Sto. Niño.
Dumlao said the assistance is part of the government’s directive to ensure that no family goes hungry during disasters and emergencies.
“Ito ay alinsunod na rin sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na siguruhin na walang pamilyang magugutom sa oras ng kalamidad,” she said.
The DSWD added that it is continuing coordination with the local government of Puerto Galera to assess further needs and extend additional support to affected residents as the dry spell persists.