Legazpi city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has distributed 20 family water filtration kits to several local government units (LGUs) in Camarines Sur, which were affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, internationally known as Trami, last week. These kits are part of a larger allocation of 100 kits intended for the province to aid in providing clean, potable water to communities in need. According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio shared that the LGUs of Magarao, Minalabac, Gainza, and Milaor have already received the kits. Plans are underway to release additional kits for Nabua and Bula, and more are available for other affected areas. Each filtration kit has the capacity to produce 10 to 12 liters of clean water, addressing the immediate needs of communities affected by the storm. The DSWD also organized an orientation and demonstration on how to set up and use the water filtration systems. Laurio highlighted that these systems are capable of processing ground and pump water, as well as floodwater, effectively removing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to ensure the safety of the water for use and consumption. Testing of the filtration systems was conducted by a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel. Senior Fire Officer 1 Aureo Pomposo Jr. emphasized the importance of these systems, especially for LGUs experiencing critical shortages of clean and potable water. He remarked on the significant impact these kits have in rationing clean water to households in areas severely affected by flooding, providing residents with safe drinking water. DSWD-5's efforts continue as they prioritize relief supplies for families affected by the recent storm. As of Thursday, the department has extended PHP218.4 million in humanitarian aid to affected communities and displaced families throughout the region. The assistance includes family food packs, water gallons, bottled water, family water filtration kits, sacks of rice from the Department of Agricul ture, essential non-food relief items, financial assistance, and hot meals for stranded passengers across regional ports. The severe tropical storm Kristine impacted 649,122 families, totaling 2,759,872 individuals across the region's six provinces, highlighting the critical need for ongoing support and relief efforts. .