The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided PHP54.27 million worth of family food packs and other non-food items to around 74,450 families in Ilocos Region affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon as of Nov. 4.

Each family food pack contains six kilos of rice, four cans of tuna, four cans of corned beef, two cans of sardines, five sachets of instant coffee, and five sachets of cereal.

DSWD Ilocos Region data show that some 63,051 family food packs, 86 six-liter bottled water, and 844 non-food items amounting to PHP44.91 million were given to Pangasinan residents.

In Ilocos Norte, around 4,284 family food packs and other non-food items worth PHP2.99 million were distributed while for Ilocos Sur, 1,315 family food packs and 524 non-food items amounting to PHP2.03 million.

Around 5,800 family food packs amounting to PHP4.34 million were given to disaster-affected residents in La Union.

Artemio Eslavaa, a farmer from Bugbugcao, San Juan town, La Union, in a statement, said they were about to harvest their rice plants but was hampered by the weeklong strong rains and wind, which eventually destroyed the plants.

“Malaking tulong sa amin ang ibinigay ng DSWD, lalo na’t sunud-sunod na ang bagyo. Malaking bagay ito sa amin kasi mayroong dagdag na pagkain ang aking pamilya (The aid from DSWD is a huge help especially with the successive weather disturbances. This is huge help since it is an additional food for my family),” he said.

Kristine entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Oct. 21 and exited on Oct. 25 while Leon entered PAR on Oct. 26 and exited on Nov. 1. (PNA)