Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista went to Camarines Sur yesterday to oversee the ongoing relief operations for families affected by massive flooding and landslides due to Tropical Depression Usman.

The Secretary was in the Municipality of Buhi, Camarines Sur this morning to check on the condition of evacuees in the town who fled to temporary shelters due to severe flooding in their villages.  He will also proceed to Sagay town to meet with the evacuees and members of the DSWD Quick Response Teams.

Early morning yesterday, the Department’s Field Office (FO) in Region V sent 700 family food packs (FFPs) and 1,400 pieces of malong to the municipality to help respond to the needs of the evacuees. The employees of the FO led the distribution of the DSWD FFPs to some 112 families who were staying at St. Francis of Assisi Church and to other affected families in temporary shelters in the town.

In cooperation with the Philippine Navy, DSWD FO V hauled additional 228 Family Food Packs (FFPs) and 600 pieces of malong as additional augmentation assistance to Buhi.

Apart from Buhi, the Field Office also extended aid to affected families in different municipalities in the province of Albay. The FO provided food packs to some 37 families at Barangays Sta. Teresa in the town of Malilipot and to 17 families at Barangay III Poblacion, also in Malilipot.

FO V also delivered aid to affected families in the town of Tiwi. In coordination with the local government unit (LGU), the field office was able to provide 58 families at Barangay Bariis with food packs and family kits.

As of 4 PM yesterday, ‘Usman’ has affected a total of 47,154 families or 200,500 persons in 12 provinces in Regions V, VIII, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.

Some 5,627 families or 20,717 persons are still staying in 145 evacuation centers (EC), the bulk of which are located in the Bicol Region with 85 ECs, housing 3,719 families or 13,059 individuals.

Meanwhile, some 12,033 families or 54,170 individuals are staying with their relatives and friends.  

“We are exerting all efforts to reach all those who have been affected by flooding and landslides caused by ‘Usman,’ especially in the hard-hit provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur. Our concerned Field Offices are working very closely with the affected LGUs for the quick provision of relief assistance to our fellow citizens in need,” DSWD Sec. Bautista said. ###