LEGAZPI: Families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) have started receiving financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol (DSWD-5) through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.
According to Philippines News Agency, Leslie Benbing, DSWD-5 crisis intervention section information officer, announced in an interview on Tuesday that PHP6.6 million were distributed to 1,112 families in the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Masbate. The breakdown of the financial assistance is as follows: Catanduanes received PHP30,000 for 3 families; Naga City was allocated PHP4.64 million for 784 families; Iriga City and Ligao City each received PHP10,000 for 1 family; and Masbate was allotted PHP1.87 million for 323 families.
Efforts are underway to distribute additional financial assistance, coordinated with local government units, with further payouts expected next week. Scheduled distributions have already been arra
nged for Sorsogon and Camarines Norte. Additionally, four families in Catanduanes will benefit from funeral assistance worth PHP10,000 each.
The DSWD Bicol, led by Regional Director Norman Laurio, is actively working to support Bicolanos affected by the crisis induced by Kristine. Director Laurio has engaged with provincial social welfare and development officers to expedite the distribution process to aid in the recovery from the disaster.
Beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude for the assistance. Gemma Morao, a resident from Magarao, Camarines Sur, shared her appreciation for the aid, stating, “Thank you, DSWD. This is a huge help for us to start again. We will use it to buy necessary materials for our house and also food.”
Meanwhile, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co reported that volunteers are actively preparing relief packs containing essential items such as rice, canned goods, instant noodles, coffee, milk, and sugar for disaster victims in Camarines Sur. The party is also involv
ed in assisting Bicolanos who have lost their homes and livelihood, providing rescue equipment to key agencies, including the Camarines Sur local government, the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Group.