The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to be on alert status to monitor and assist local government units (LGUs) in their relief operations for their constituents who are affected by  the various weather disturbances across the country.

To date, the DSWD has already provided augmentation assistance worth more than Php45 million to localities currently experiencing the effects of the shear line in Regions V, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, Caraga, and BARMM.

Meanwhile, the Department also provided financial assistance worth more than Php119 million to 24,455 beneficiaries in Regions V, VIII, and X through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

In Eastern Visayas, the DSWD Field Office (FO) VIII has already served a total of 25,045 families from the provinces of Northern Samar, Western Samar, and Eastern Samar.

On January 12, the DSWD FO IX delivered 2,750 family food packs and 599 jerry cans with potable water as initial assistance to families affected by the heavy rains and flooding brought by the low pressure area in the localities of Zamboanga City, Tungawan, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Liloy and Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.

Currently, the DSWD maintains stockpiles and standby funds worth over Php 1.26 billion ready for augmentation to concerned LGUs, if requested.

Upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and under the leadership of Officer-in-Charge Eduardo M. Punay, the Department pledges to ensure that all regions affected by weather disturbances will be provided with sufficient augmentation assistance in a timely manner. ###