Aside from providing resource augmentation to local government units (LGUs) that were affected by the 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Central Luzon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office III,  is also assisting them in conducting initial critical incident stress debriefing  (CISD) for survivors staying in evacuation centers.

CISD is a process that allows survivors of natural and human-induced calamities as well as traumatic incidents to process and reflect on what has happened to them. It helps them to cope with their traumatic experiences by pouring out their feelings and fears.

Trained DSWD stress debriefers will also be deployed to quake-hit communities in the region to provide psycho-social services to grieving families.

Meanwhile, DSWD disaster teams continue to be on full alert status to help LGUs in their relief operations.   As of press time, the Department has provided ₱2,806,497.50 worth of food and non-food assistance to Pampanga and Zambales provinces. 

Disaster teams are also on the ground to validate the number of houses that have been damaged by the tremor.  To date, the teams have reported that some 1,046 and 3,329 houses were totally and partially damaged, respectively. ###