The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)- Field Office Caraga reported that as of 3pm today, all 54 barangays in Surigao City that have been affected by the 6.7-magnitude earthquake already received relief assistance.

Likewise, repacking of relief goods at the City Social Welfare and Development Office is on-going to ensure that additional food requirements of survivors will be addressed.

To date, a total of ₱10,256,256.37 worth of assistance has been provided to affected families through the local government units (LGUs) in the region. Of the said amount, the Department has provided ₱9,178,068.37, the LGUs provided ₱963,838 while some NGOs provided ₱112,350.

DSWD-FO CARAGA social workers also  continue to conduct psycho-social activities for quake survivors in the towns of Malimono, San Franciso, and Surigao City.

DSWD-Secretary Judy Taguiwalo is relieved that all affected barangays have been helped. She gave her assurance that resource augmentation for affected LGUs in the province will continue as long as there is a need for it.

“We have to help our kababayans recover from the trauma caused by the earthquake. They are still traumatized from their experience and may not be able to return to their normal  lives because aftershocks are still felt from time to time. The DSWD pledges to continue monitoring the situation and to be always prepared to provide what assistance are within our means,” Sec. Taguiwalo said. ###