Cordillera Administrative Region– Around PhP 31,995,520.10 worth of assistance has been provided to 13,228 families composed of 48,508 individuals in the region who have been affected by typhoon Ompong. The said amount covers the assistance provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units (LGUs), and some donors.

In a report, as of 25 September 2018, the DSWD has been able to provide a total amount of PhP 20,208,897.80 for the family food packs and non-food items distributed to the affected families. Meanwhile, the LGUs were able to provide a total amount of PhP 10,251,490.30 and PhP 1,535,132.00 from donors such as non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), private institutions and individuals.

The amount of assistance from the donors is yet to be finalized.

“ We are grateful for the overwhelming support and donations provided to the victims of TY Ompong. These goods will help the victims as they begin to move on from the calamity”, Director Armas said.

Of the total assistance, the Benguet Province was able to receive the highest amount with PhP 7,917,603.25 , followed by Apayao with PhP 4,592,990.50, Abra with PhP 3,811,155.25, Kalinga with PhP 3,134,413.75, Ifugao with PhP 373,183.50, Mountain Province with PhP 310,595.65 and Baguio City with PhP 68,995.90.

Meanwhile, as of 24 September 2018, a total of PhP 1,310,050.00 has been released to the affected families in Itogon, Benguet. This is aside from the amount of relief items released to them. Of the totaol amount, PhP 644,050.00 covers the burial assistance of 32 victims and PhP 55,000 for the transportation of 11 cadavers.

“The burial assistance from DSWD amounts to PhP 25,000.00 per family. This may come in cash or cheque. This is on top of the funeral services we have provided and paid directly to the funeral homes. Additional PhP 5,000.00 has been released for the transportation of the remains of the victims:, Director Armas shared.

The DSWD has also provided transportation assistance amounting to a total of PhP 179,000.00 for 78 individuals.

“The amount of transportation assistance given is based on the assessment of the social workers and the destination of the affected individuals. We would like to clarify that we are not releasing any assistance worth PhP 10,000. The assistance may be from other donors or funders but not DSWD”, Armas added.

On the other hand, DSWD has opened its doors for the families of the Itogon landslide victims who are yet to be recovered from the debris.

“We are one with the families in praying for the retrieval of the bodies of their loved ones. While waiting, our dormitory is open for the bereaved families so they can rest and stay safe.” Armas shared.

Aside from this, food and psychosocial interventions will be provided to the families while staying with DSWD.#DSWD-CAR, Social Marketing Unit, Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva