The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is now fast-tracking the release of the P48,881,875 fund for the implementation of activities under the Early Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan for Typhoon Ferdie survivors in Batanes.

The plan includes cash-for-work (CFW) for 4,549 individuals amounting to P18,331,875 and Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) for 2,241 families with damaged houses amounting to P30,550,000.

“Our goal is to really release the funds as soon as possible so that the affected families can start rebuilding and regaining their normal functioning. Their fast recovery from one disaster will serve as their leverage to be more capable of dealing with the next one,” DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.

Typhoon Ferdie has left a total of 2,241 houses in shambles in Region II, mostly in Batanes Group of Islands. It also displaced 4,588 families in Regions I and II during its onslaught.

Meanwhile,  the Department remains on standby for possible augmentation support and release of additional assistance in Northern Cagayan, Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands due to the inclement weather brought by new Typhoon Helen.

DSWD Field Office-II has already prepositioned 17,869 family food packs in strategic locations in the region and is currently repacking additional food packs for possible distribution.

“We are exerting our full efforts to ensure that adequate response and the timely delivery of relief assistance and augmentation support for typhoon survivors are handled well in the local, provincial and regional levels. However, we cannot do this alone without the involvement of citizens who are considered as the government’s partner for change. During these trying times, we need to act in solidarity for the immediate recovery of those hit by the typhoons,” Sec. Taguiwalo said. ###