More than  P3.6 million worth of relief supplies have been provided to the local government unit (LGU) of Batanes  for  families affected by Typhoon  Ferdie.

From the said amount, the Department augmented total relief items worth P2,944,592 to the provincial government which includes family food packs, malong, ready-to-eat brown rice bars, portable generator sets, canned goods, candles, and ropes.

At present, DSWD Field Office-II is coordinating with national government agencies (NGAs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) for additional reconstruction materials for the repair of damaged houses in Batanes since the galvanized steel sheets and wood provided by the provincial government were not sufficient to cover all the damaged shelters.

In addition, the Psychosocial Support Processing (PSP) Team of DSWD-FO II is assisting the Social Welfare and Development (SWDA) Office in Batanes and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in Batan Island for the facilitation of documentary requirements such as General Intake Sheet (GIS) and Certificate of Eligibility that are needed for the immediate release of financial aid under the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) and Cash-for-Work (CFW) to the affected families.

Meanwhile, even as Typhoon Helen is moving away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the DSWD-Central Office is continuously coordinating with  DSWD-FO II to assess the effects of this latest typhoon in the region.

“We are strengthening our coordination with concerned agencies to assess the needs of affected families in order to determine additional priority assistance programs and services,” affirmed DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo. ###