The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office III (DSWD FO III) reported that a total assistance of P7,546,265.60 from the combined resources of the DSWD, local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) has been extended to the victims of Typhoon Mario in Central Luzon.

Of this aid, the DSWD has released P4,367,107.00 worth of food and non-food items; P2,501,425.00 from the local government units of the affected municipalities; and P77,733.00 from the provincial governments of Bulacan (P36,500.00) and Tarlac (P41,333.00). Various non-government organization extended goods worth P600,000.00 to the victims of the province of Bulacan.

Of the assistance extended by the DSWD, P2,933,613.50 was provided to Bulacan; P1,327,744.00 to the province of Nueva Ecija; and P105,749.500 to Tarlac.

Typhoon Mario has affected a total of 71,797 families with 338,718 individuals in 238 barangays in 38 municipalities/cities in six (6) provinces of Central Luzon.

There were 152 evacuation centers opened with 26,636 families or 126,978 persons. To date, 57 evacuation centers are still in operation serving 2,153 families or 8,036 persons. Meanwhile, some 5,624 families or 30, 589 persons were served outside the evacuation centers or in their respective communities.

Typhoon Mario has left 43 families with damaged houses: 14-totally and 29-partially. Two persons from Zambales were reported missing. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo)