MANILA: The Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Thursday assured continuous aid to families affected by the onslaught of enhanced southwest monsoon or 'habagat,' and super typhoon Carina. "The Disaster Operations Center of the OVP, institutionalized by the Vice President (Sara Duterte), is always ready to assist families affected by calamities," it said in a statement. The statement also confirmed the authorized personal trip of Duterte and her family to Germany. "Her departure received the necessary approvals, as evidenced by the travel authority issued by the Office of the President dated 09 July 2024," it said, noting, however, of the "unfortunate timing" of the trip as it coincided with super typhoon Carina. The OVP, meanwhile, reported simultaneous distribution of relief boxes and hot meals to affected residents in Quezon City, and in Tondo, Manila. Each relief box contains hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, slippers, and expandable water jugs, among others. The OVP targets to aid 6,700 families in Metro Manila and Calabarzon. Source: Philippines News agency