Cordillera Administrative Region- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has released more than PhP 2 Million pesos worth of assistance to families and communities that have been affected by the onslaught of severe tropical storm Maring.

A total of PhP 2,376,580.40 worth of assistance has already been provided to some affected municipalities that have already received the augmentation they have requested from the Field Office. The amount also includes the assistance provided to the families of the 11 casualties from Baguio City and Benguet Province.

As of 12 NN of 15 October 2021, the DSWD FO CAR was able to release 3,412 family food packs amounting to PhP 1,964,540.00 and 976 ready to eat meals, 104 hygiene kits, seven (7) sleeping kits, and one family and kitchen kit with a total amount of PhP 242,040.40.

“The DSWD FO CAR is continuously monitoring the situation of the communities in our Region with the assistance of our Local Government Units. We will be providing augmentation to the local government units in need of assistance. We are also ensuring the availability of our stockpile for augmentation”, Director Arnel B. Garcia, CESO II said.

The Field Office is currently maintaining 33,502 family food packs amounting to PhP 18,547,217.52 and various non-food items worth PhP 21,678,574.50. The Field Office is also maintaining a PhP 5,683,655.12 stand by funds.

“We have already prepositioned relief items in the different provinces in the region to ensure that supplies are available at any given time. We are also currently procuring 500 boxes of family kits worth PhP 1.2 M and 1000 boxes of hygiene kits worth PhP 1.3M to ensure that we replenish our stockpile on time” Director Garcia shared.

Aside from the augmentation of relief items, the DSWD FO CAR has also provided financial assistance to the families of the casualties recorded in the Region. Through the Assistance to Individuals in Crises Situation, the families were able to receive burial and cash assistance amounting to PhP 170,000.00.

“We are giving a wholistic intervention to the families affected by STS Maring. We have  also conducted psychological first-aid to from Itogon and La Trinidad, Benguet” he added.

The DSWD FO CAR through its Provincial Action Teams (PAT) are continuously monitoring the effects of STS Maring for possible augmentation. Individuals who are in need of immediate assistance may coordinate with their respective Local Social Welfare and Development Unit or the DSWD PAT in their areas. #DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, NERIZZA FAYE G. VILLANUEVA-TRINIDAD