By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – A total of PHP2 billion in emergency aid is on standby for communities severely affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said Saturday.
Of the total funding, at least PHP92.2 million are standby funds that are available at the DSWD central and field offices, PHP1.1 billion are for family food packs, and PHP891 million for other food and non-food items.
“As we speak, ongoing ang DSWD, particularly our field offices, sa pakikipag-coordinate sa mga local government units para ma-address natin o matugunan ‘yung pangangailangan ng mga naapektuhan nating mga kababayan (As we speak, the DSWD, particularly our field offices, is in coordinating with the local government units so that we can address or meet the needs of our affected countrymen),” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
“Tinitiyak po ng DSWD in camp coordination and camp management and in the protection of internally displaced persons, na may mga safe spaces for women and children sa lahat po ng mga (The DSWD is making sure in camp coordination and camp management and in the protection of internally displaced persons, that there are safe spaces for women and children in all the) evacuation centers,” she added.
The DSWD and its partners have so far delivered more than PHP14.7 million worth of humanitarian aid in the immediate aftermath of the eruption.
Based on the latest DSWD data, more than 10,000 families or over 42,000 individuals were affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s restiveness in at least 25 villages in Western and Central Visayas.
At present, some 4,600 families or more than 15,000 individuals are temporarily staying in 28 evacuation centers in the two regions.
In addition to immediate aid, Dumlao said the DSWD is conducting a rapid damage assessment to determine other interventions and possible livelihood assistance for the affected, especially farmers.
“Once we get the data, that would be the basis naman ng department in determining kung anong appropriate intervention. Pwede tayong magpahatid ng (Once we get the data, that would be the basis of the department in determining what appropriate intervention. We can deliver) cash for work, assistance to individuals in crisis situation or emergency cash transfer,” she said. (PNA)
