ILOILO: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 6 (Western Visayas) is maintaining an alert status in preparation for the potential impact of Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-Rey). This vigilance comes as the department continues to provide essential aid to those affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-6 Director Arwin Lazo assured on Tuesday that the department has sufficient resources ready for deployment at any time. The agency currently holds more than 90,000 family food packs (FFPs) distributed across the region, alongside a variety of non-food items (NFIs) available for distribution. Additionally, the DSWD has a total stockpile and standby funds amounting to over PHP120.7 million.
In its most recent report, the DSWD-6 detailed that the total assistance given to families impacted by Kristine has reached PHP25.36 million. This aid includes 22,724 FFPs valued at approximately PHP22.5 million and 531 NFIs worth
PHP832,188. Furthermore, local government units have contributed over PHP2 million in aid to the affected families and individuals.
The severe tropical storm Kristine has affected 125,496 families, or 485,015 individuals, in the Western Visayas region. The storm also resulted in the destruction of 572 houses and caused partial damage to 17,915 others.