Quezon City: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended over PHP132 million worth of humanitarian aid to families and individuals affected by the continuing restiveness of Mt. Kanlaon.
According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) announced during a media forum at the DSWD Central Office that the total aid includes 107,825 family food packs (FFPs) and 24,990 non-food items distributed to local government units (LGUs) since the December 9 eruption. Additionally, PHP28 million in financial assistance has been provided under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).
The DSWD has also supplied over 3,500 other food items, including potable water and hot meals. Dumlao, who serves as the DSWD spokesperson, mentioned that the agency is addressing "food-pack fatigue" among internally displaced persons (IDPs) through the joint provision of hot meals with concerned LGUs. Many evacuees have been displaced for nearly four months.
Dumlao stated that community kitchens have been set up in the affected areas, particularly in evacuation centers, allowing the provision of diverse food options to evacuees.
According to the April 10 report from the agency's Disaster Response Operations Management Information Communication (DROMIC), a total of 12,761 families or 48,850 individuals in Negros Island have been affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon. Of these, 2,606 families or 8,313 individuals are currently sheltered in 22 open evacuation centers, while 3,702 families or 11,892 individuals are staying with friends or relatives.
In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive, Dumlao assured that the agency has enough resources to ensure no affected families go hungry during the ongoing crisis. She highlighted that the DSWD has 2.7 million FFPs in the national stockpile and continues to produce more.
In the Negros Island Region, 152,546 FFPs are stockpiled: 88,195 in Negros Occidental, 58,220 in Negros Oriental, and 6,131 in Siquijor. Additionally, the DSWD has PHP93 million in stand-by funds nationwide, along with non-food items such as hygiene, family, and kitchen kits, as well as modular tents.
