The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office in Western Visayas (DSWD FO-6) has already disbursed over PHP99 million in emergency cash assistance to families affected by Tropical Storm Ramil in Capiz.

DSWD FO-6 Regional Information Officer Therese Fely Legaste said they released the cash aid to 19,050 family beneficiaries “severely or slightly affected” by the weather disturbance on Nov. 13 to 18.

Of the total, 18,300 beneficiaries were classified as slightly affected and received PHP5,005 each.

Meanwhile, the 750 beneficiaries found to be severely affected received PHP10,010 each.

“Severely, if their houses were destroyed, have casualties, or upon assessment, there is a significant loss in livelihood of more than 50 percent. Slightly, when their houses are partially damaged,” she said.

The province of Capiz is currently under a state of calamity and the payout continues for other affected families.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Ramil, which struck in October, left at least seven people dead and affected 56,000 families or 173,000 individuals in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), Western Visayas and Eastern Visayas (Region 8).

Meanwhile, the DSWD-6 is still waiting for guidance from the central office for the other forms of assistance that will be extended to those whose houses were damaged by Typhoons Tino and Uwan the past two weeks.

Legaste said they have already provided family food packs and ready-to-eat food boxes, and those with damaged houses were referred to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. (PNA)