Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian assured families and individuals affected by Severe Tropical Storm  (STS) Kristine in the Bicol Region that the agency is ready to provide all forms of assistance until they attain full recovery.

“Nandun na tayo sa recovery, meaning alam natin na habang kinukumpuni ng mga tao, they are going back to their normal lives, kailangan pa rin nating bigyan ng suportang pagkain kasi nga bumabalik pa lang sila sa normal scene. Nandyan pa rin kami sa normal recovery stage ng kanilang buhay,” Secretary Gatchalian said during an interview with reporters on Wednesday (November 6) at the Fuerte Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The DSWD chief accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on his visit to flood-hit Camarines Sur to oversee the distribution of both the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF) and the agency’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program to the families and individuals affected by STS Kristine.

Some 5,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive Php10,000 each under the DSWD’s AKAP Program in the province of Camarines Sur.

As of press time, the DSWD has already distributed humanitarian assistance worth Php875.29 million to families affected by STS Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon across the country.

The Department is also continuing its replenishment of family food packs in its spokes and last mile warehouses across the country to be able to immediately accommodate augmentation support requests from local government units (LGUs). (AKDL)