The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday released PHP513,000 financial help to 171 families in two flood-hit Antique towns last July 30.

“We released PHP3,000 AICS (aid to individuals in crisis situations) to each affected family in San Jose de Buenavista and in Hamtic,” Social Welfare and Development Antique team leader Melrose Amaran said in an interview on Tuesday.

She said 120 families in San Jose de Buenavista and 51 in Hamtic got the financial aid.

Another 120 families in Sibalom town are expected to receive their AICS on August 4.

The victims were forced to temporarily leave their homes and had to stay overnight in various evacuation centers due to flooding caused by the southwest monsoon and enhanced by Tropical Depression Ester.

Provincial social worker Jason Alagos said they helped Rubylyn Toledo, 76, of Barangay Madrangca, San Jose de Buenavista, whose house was damaged due to the strong winds brought about by the southwest monsoon.

On Monday, the provincial government gave food packs, blankets, and building materials to Alagos living alone in a makeshift house and surviving by salvaging recyclables. She was not included in the list of families assisted by the DSWD.

She will also receive PHP10,000 financial assistance from the provincial government. (PNA)