The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s ( DSWD) Field Office (FO) 5-Bicol Region extended financial assistance to families hit by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine in the Province of Masbate on October 30 and 31.

“The DSWD remains committed to supporting families affected by recent disasters in rebuilding their homes and restoring their lives. To help displaced families to rebuild their damaged houses, the DSWD extended financial aid worth Php3.290 million under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program,” Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao, who is also the agency spokesperson, said on Saturday (November 2).

“Through the financial assistance, we aim to ease the burden of recovery, ensuring that the families affected by STS Kristine have the resources needed to repair and rebuild their damaged houses,” the DSWD spokesperson said.

A total of Php2.155 million was distributed to 416 beneficiaries in Cawayan, Masbate, while Php1.135 million was allocated to support 216 families in Pio V. Corpuz, also in Masbate.

Each of the beneficiaries with totally damaged houses received Php10,000 while the families with partially damaged houses were granted Php5,000 each.

Aside from financial assistance, the Department also continues with its operations to ensure that enough relief supplies are provided to families battered by recent weather disturbances.

In Camarines Sur, the Department distributed 1,200 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) to residents hit by STS Kristine in Barangays Pagatpat and San Isidro in the municipality of Bato, and Barangay Impig in Sipocot town.

Additionally, sleeping kits were provided to 60 displaced families in Barangays Casugad, Fabrica, Palsong, Sto. Niño, and Balaogan in Bula, Camarines Sur.

Boxes of FFPs are also set to be delivered by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from Ubay Port to CP Garcia Island and islets in the province of Bohol.

In Region 2, as part of the DSWD’s large-scale response operations for Super Typhoon Leon, the agency’s Field Office 2- Cagayan Valley sought the assistance of the police, military, and Coast Guard to load 500 boxes of FFPs bound for the island province of Batanes via a C-295 aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), while 1,160 boxes of FFPs from Villamor Airbase will also be transported using a C-130 aircraft.

In total, 1,660 boxes of FFPs are expected to arrive in Batanes province on Saturday (November 2). (AKDL)