A total of 1,899 typhoon victims in two provinces in the Bicol Region have received cash assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Jastine Joy Dichoso Escuro, DSWD-Bicol AICS information officer, said the beneficiaries are residents of Masbate and Camarines Sur provinces whose livelihoods were adversely affected by Typhoons Egay and Falcon in July.

They received PHP4,000 each or a total of PHP7.4 million during the distribution activities on Aug. 24 and 25.

“The 1,838 beneficiaries were from Masbate province and 61 from Camarines Sur province consisting of farmers, fishermen, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents and marginalized workers,” Escuro said.

The AICS serves as a social safety net or stop-gap measure to support the recovery of individuals and families suffering from unexpected life events or crises such as illness or death of a family member and other similar circumstances.

Meanwhile, in response to the adverse weather conditions brought by Typhoon Goring in the region over the weekend, the DSWD-5 through its Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), conducted monitoring and assessment of all the ports and entrances in the Bicol Region.

DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio directed the DRMD team to conduct a coordination meeting with the Philippine Coast Guard to validate whether there were stranded passengers or affected families at the ports.

There have been no reported incidents or affected areas as a result of Goring throughout the region. (PNA)