The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday said more than 1.3 million people have been affected by the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, with a total of P39.37 million in humanitarian assistance already provided.
DSWD Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian cited the figures during a Palace press briefing, where he also said the total number of affected people translates to 384,527 families across 2,070 affected villages, or barangays.
Around 58,655 people, or 16,135 families, are taking shelter in 624 evacuation centers. Families who were displaced and are taking shelter outside evacuation centers reached 11,363, or 39,296 individuals.
A total of 367 houses were damaged, 27 of which were totally damaged and 340 partially damaged.
Mr. Gatchalian also said the total cost of humanitarian assistance provided by the agency reached P39.37 million, with P928,000 in financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) already provided to affected families.
“We’ve already processed around close to one million pesos worth of financial assistance, lalong-lalo na doon sa mga namatayan because of landslides up north in Cordillera,” Mr. Gatchalian said.
The DSWD has released a total of 54,370 family food packs, 2,722 ready-to-eat food packs, and 1,376 non-food items.
The national stockpile of family food packs situated across 1,000 warehouses stands at more than 4.9 million, down from around 5.1 million the previous day.
“This is the largest stockpile the country has had since we started doing this system,” Mr. Gatchalian said, adding that the agency continues to increase its stockpile in accordance with the President’s mandate.
Mr. Gatchalian said that the country remains to have P1.61 billion in total standby funds and over 245,00 non-food items nationwide.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday said fatalities due to the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay had reached 13 as of 2 p.m.
Benguet reported the highest number of deaths at seven, including four in Baguio, two in La Trinidad, and one in Atok, all due to landslides.
Rizal reported three deaths, two in Rodriguez due to a rockslide and one in Antipolo due to a fallen tree.
Batangas also reported three deaths — one in Batangas City due to drowning, one in Lipa due to electrocution, and one in Santa Teresita due to a landslide.
The OCD said all deaths are still under validation.
It also reported nine missing individuals, seven of whom were reported in Baguio and one in Atok, all due to landslides. Batangas also reported one missing person.
All missing individuals are also undergoing validation.
The number of injured individuals reached 14, with all cases also under validation, the OCD said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
