Due to the North East Monsoon which affected the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for the past two (2) months, a total of 979 families or 3,486 persons were affected particularly in the Provinces of Apayao and Ifugao.
Based on the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center Report released on 5 February 2024, there were 24 barangays in Apayao and one (1) barangay in Ifugao were troubled by the said weather disturbance.
On 22 December 2023, the province of Apayao monitored several incidents of flooding in Flora, Luna, Pudtol, and Santa Marcela. This incident continued for a while due to the persistent rains. Additionally, on 2 January 2024, Ifugao particularly in Asipulo also reported flooding and soil erosion incidents triggered by the heavy rains.
The DSWD Field Office CAR has provided ₱405,806.25 worth of assistance in the form of Food and Non-Food Items (FNIs) and cash assistance. Through its SWAD Office in Apayao, the agency monitored and administered the provision of FNIs to families who were inside and outside the evacuation center through coordination with the LGUs.
Most of the affected population resides in areas vulnerable to mudslides while others are located in low-lying barangays near rivers and creeks making them prone to flooding. Residents were then evacuated to established evacuation centers in their respective barangays.
A total of 11 evacuation centers were previously opened in the province of Apayao which sheltered 122 families or 315 persons who were forced to evacuate. All evacuees have already gone back home as of reporting time including the affected family in Flora who built a makeshift house near their damaged house.
SWAD Apayao gave ₱10,000.00 cash assistance through Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Program to a family whose home was severely damaged due to soil erosion in Flora. Meanwhile, one (1) house in Asipulo, Ifugao was reported as partially damaged were provided with FNIs.# DSWD FIELD OFFICE CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, IO II MYLYN M. BONGSIAN
