Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has so far provided PHP2.28 million worth of relief items to families affected by the intense rainfall in Mindanao due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), an agency official reported on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, emphasized the ongoing coordination with local government units (LGUs) as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This collaboration aims to deliver immediate assistance and comfort to affected families. The adverse effects of the ITCZ, from May 15 to 18, have impacted families across Regions 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region), 12 (Soccsksargen), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Dumlao mentioned that the DSWD Field Offices (FOs) in these affected regions are on high alert to ensure that family food packs (FFPs) and essential non-food items reach disaster-hit families promptly. For instance, the DSWD's FO-Soccsksargen distributed FFPs to 376 families in flood-hit Barangay Poblacion in the municipality of Carmen in Cotabato on Saturday.

Edna, a 40-year-old resident and recipient of the aid, expressed gratitude for the DSWD's prompt response, acknowledging the relief provided by the family food packs amidst the floods they endured. Similarly, the DSWD FO-Zamboanga Peninsula quickly delivered relief aid to various barangays in Kumalarang, Zamboanga Del Sur, which suffered from flash floods and landslides.

Dumlao reported that 1,315 boxes of family food packs have been delivered to affected residents in Kumalarang and Bacungan, one of the most impacted municipalities in Zamboanga Del Norte. The agency continues its collaboration with affected LGUs to cater to any further resource augmentation requests.

The DSWD FOs in Mindanao have PHP12 million in standby funds and 419,645 FFPs ready for disaster response operations, ensuring preparedness for ongoing and future needs.