The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to monitor the condition of families affected by Tropical Depression Auring, which has weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) this morning.

State weather bureau PAG-ASA has lifted all typhoon warning signals it earlier issued.

According to the 1pm report of the DSWD- Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), ‘Auring’ has affected a total of 5,423 families or 23,121 individuals in 89 barangays in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands in CARAGA Region.

Some 5,371 families or 22,879 persons have been displaced by the tropical depression; of which, 4,745 families or 20,429 individuals are taking shelter in 117 evacuation centers.

The DSWD continues to monitor the status of the affected families housed in evacuation centers,  through its Field Office (FO) CARAGA to ensure the continuous provision of assistance.

FO Negros Island Region (NIR) similarly activated its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental along with the City/Municipal Action Teams (C/MATs) stationed in every city and municipality to monitor the possible effects of the LPA. Food and Non-Food Items (FNFI) have already been prepositioned in the provinces, ready for augmentation when needed.

Meanwhile, in FO VIII, staff manning the warehouse are on alert and ready to dispatch family food packs (FFPs) when needed.

To date, a total of P801,108 worth of relief assistance has been provided to the affected families with the bulk amounting to P779,572 coming from LGUs.

“Batay sa mga ulat na natatanggap namin, malaki pa ang kakayahan ng mga LGUs na tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan na apektado ng Bagyong Auring’.  Kung ano man, laging handa ang DSWD na magbigay ng augmentation support kung kinakailangan (Based on reports that we have received,  concerned LGUS still have the capacity to meet the needs of their constituents affected by ‘Auring’. Nonetheless, the DSWD is ready to provide augmentation support when needed),”​DSWD ​Sec.

​ Judy​ M. Taguiwalo said.

“We want to make sure that all the prepositioned relief goods and other materials we have to help tide over our affected kababayans are utilized. It is important that these resources be turned over as soon as possible to those who need them. After all, it is easy to replenish the family food packs, etc — so there really is no excuse to keep our kababayans waiting for the assistance,” she said.

Despite  its weakening, ‘Auring”  is expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over the Bicol Region and the Samar provinces.

Sec. Taguiwalo reminded the residents of these areas to continue to coordinate with the local disaster agencies in their communities, as the risks of flashfloods and landslides are still possible.

“We call on the public to continue to coordinate with their LGUs and to pay attention to all warnings issued in order to ensure their safety. As is the case with previous disasters, our goal is to have zero casualty,” she said. ###