Department of Social Welfare and Development  (DSWD) Secretary Virginia N. Orogo flew to Cebu yesterday and visited the families affected by the landslide in Barangay Tinaan, Naga City.

Upon arrival at the city, Sec. Orogo, accompanied by DSWD-Field Office VII Director Evelyn Macapobre, directly proceeded to the evacuation centers where she met and comforted the bereaved families and other victims.

“Makaka-asa  po kayo nang patuloy na ayuda mula sa ahensiya hanggang sa kayo ay muling makabangon at makapag-simulang muli (We assure you that the Department will continue to assist you until such time that you can recover from the incident and are able to start anew),” Sec. Orogo assured the affected families.

As of press time, there are five evacuation centers in Naga City.  These are the Naga Central Elementary School, Enan Chiong Activity Center (ECAC), Naalad Elementary School, Apo Cement Gym, and Naga High School. The ECAC has the highest number of evacuees with around 500 families.

As of yesterday, there are 897 affected families or 2,836 individuals .A total of 29 casualties has so far recorded.

Sec. Orogo also handed P25,000 each to the 11 bereaved families as burial assistance.

Aside from the burial assistance, DSWD-Field Office VII  continues to extend immediate relief to the victims through the provision of food and non-food items.

To date, it has already extended relief support worth P2,018,919.50 to the victims. Additional assistance will be delivered on site as the need arises.

Members of the DSWD-Field Office VII Quick Response Team remain on 24-hour operation in the evacuation centers to assist the city government in responding to the needs of the evacuees.

DSWD social workers have also set-up child and women- friendly spaces in the various evacuation centers to ensure the safety  and to meet the special needs of children and women including senior citizens, nursing mothers, and persons with disabilities. ###