LEGAZPI CITY: The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Bicol (DSWD-5) has established "tent cities" as temporary shelters for families impacted by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) in October. In an interview on Monday, DSWD-5 Director Norman Laurio explained that these safer and larger tent cities will serve as temporary homes for those displaced by the storm. According to Philippines News Agency, the emergency shelters are intended for residents whose homes were either completely or partially destroyed by the severe flooding caused by Kristine. The DSWD-5 has set up these shelters in Bula and Baao, Camarines Sur, and distributed 100 family tents that can house five families per tent, along with 200 modular tents designed for one or two families each. Laurio emphasized the agency's commitment to ensuring that all necessary support is provided to the affected Bicolanos, especially those severely impacted by the storm. Data from the affected local government units (LGUs) indic ates that a total of 82,193 houses were damaged by Kristine, with 6,493 completely destroyed and 75,700 partially damaged. The DSWD-5 also plans to offer financial assistance to the affected families. "It was reported by LGUs that we will still conduct thorough validation," Laurio stated. Families with totally damaged homes will receive PHP10,000, while those with partially damaged homes will receive PHP5,000. Currently, 16,782 families, comprising 70,288 individuals, are displaced due to the storm. Of these, 7,086 families, or 31,741 people, are residing in 147 evacuation centers, while 9,696 families, or 38,547 individuals, are staying with relatives. As of Monday, humanitarian assistance amounting to PHP423 million has been provided for the six provinces in the region.