The August 17, 4am bulletin of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that P5.8 million worth of aid from the combined resources of the DSWD with P3,439,020.65, local government units (LGUs)  in Regions III and CALABARZON with  P1,977,633.20, and non-government organizations (NGOs) with  389,786.20 have been provided to families affected by the Southwest Monsoon rains.

“If deemed necessary, the Department is ready to provide more augmentation assistance to LGUs to enable them to respond further the needs of affected families,” assured DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

To date, 55,963 families or 262,271 persons from 350 barangays in Regions NCR, CAR, I, III, CALABARZON, VI and Negros Island, have been affected,  of which, 4,487 families or 17,896 persons are still in 77 evacuation centers set up by LGUs,  while 10,562 families or 51,300 persons temporarily took shelter with their relatives and friends.

Region III now has the most number of existing evacuation centers at 66 with 4,084 families or 15,932 persons.

Sec. Taguiwalo has also instructed concerned DSWD field offices to maintain their coordination with concerned LGUs for additional assistance and augmentation support as inclement weather continues to prevail. She also issued an appeal to LGU officials to maintain in close coordination with DSWD Field Offices and if and when needed the Central Office as well during calamities. “We want to maintain a smoothly running system of monitoring and coordination between all  government units and agencies concerned with disaster relief operations so we can reach Filipinos in need faster,” she said.  ###