PIA Press Release
Friday, January 13, 2012

DSWD-7 stock up relief goods in vulnerable areas

CEBU CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD7) stocks up food and non-food relief goods in hard to reach areas in the region as a preemptive measure against natural and man-made disasters.

According to the DSWD Relief Operation Center based in Dumuaguete City, the number of families affected by tropical storm “Sendong” reached almost 15,000 families or more than 70,000 individuals.

Zamboanguita municipality reported 10 barangays were hit by the typhoon with almost 1,000 persons affected by the heavy rains.

The typhoon caused flooding in 125 barangays in the 11 towns in Negros Oriental, affecting 14,147 families or 70,735 persons.

Local government units have put up five evacuation centers in the towns of Sibulan, Valencia and Dumaguete City for the remaining 429 families who were still homeless and were displaced by the floods.

Aside from hot meals and relief goods, the DSWD has also distributed 14,000 Noche Buena packages last Christmas and New Year.

DSWD-7 regional director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre thanked the volunteers who helped in the packing and the distribution of goods just on time for the holiday season.

This month, DSWD-7 aims to finish stocking up its relief goods to be stationed in hard to reach areas especially the island municipalities and interior towns.

A bodega to store the goods will be identified to safely and securely accommodate at least 1,000 family packs, which contains food and non-food items.

Each family pack contains three kilos of rice, canned goods, noodles, toiletries and used clothing good for six family members which can be consumed for three days.

Areas identified for stocking in Cebu are Tudela for Camotes Island, Sta. Fe for Bantayan Island and the municipality of Samboan.

In Negros Oriental, Mabinay and Pamplona for the interior parts and the cities of Tanjay, Bayawan and Dumaguete will be used for stocking up goods for the more urban areas.

For Bohol, the towns of Tubigon, Carlos P. Garcia, Carmen shall be used. Siquijor town will be used for the island province of Siquijor.

Other than these pre-positioned goods, the Field Office has increased its stock piling from 1,000 to 5,000 on stand by for any untoward incidents.

Total cost of assistance given to Negros Oriental flood victims from the government through DSWD in cash and in kind amounted to over P12.230 million. (mbcn/hfgPIA-7 & DSWD-7)