P3.5M worth of assistance given to Odette-hit areas —DSWD exec

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided about P3.5 million worth of assistance to Typhoon Odette-affected areas in Caraga, Eastern and Western Visayas, and Mimaropa regions, DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said on Sunday.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Dumlao reiterated that the DSWD has more than P900 million worth of available stockpiles and standby funds to aid those affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

Dumlao made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday that he talked with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) regarding available money for Typhoon Odette-stricken areas, stressing that government funds had been depleted on the COVID-19 pandemic response.

“Ito nga po ay naka-allocate talaga para sa mga programa natin sa response lalo na nga kapag may bagyo o iba pang sakuna,” Dumlao said.

(The funds are really allocated for our response programs during typhoons and other disasters.)

Thus, repacking of family food packs by the DSWD is continuous to sustain the needs of the evacuees and residents.

Dumlao added the DSWD is also coordinating with the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Coast Guard for the provision of air and sea assets so that the family food packs will be delivered faster particularly to island municipalities hit by Odette.

“Halimbawa po, in Siargao, may naka-preposition na goods in Surigao City, so with the naval assets madadala agad ito sa affected na area,” she said.

(For example, we have prepositioned goods in Surigao City for Siargao. With the help of the naval assets, we can deliver the family food packs faster there.)

Further, Dumlao reported that as of 6 a.m. on Sunday, there were over 2,000 evacuation centers that cater to 270,000 people or 74,000 families in the regions of Caraga, Eastern and Western Visayas, and Mimaropa.

Meanwhile, about 28,000 individuals or 7,000 families were reported temporarily staying in other homes.  —LBG, GMA News