The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-Davao Region (FO-11) has extended assistance to families displaced by flash floods due to the heavy rainfall caused by the prevailing intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

“We received reports from our Davao Field Office of several incidents of flooding in Davao Occidental. As of today, we have extended 887 family food packs (FFPs) worth PHP541,070 to the affected localities for distribution to their affected constituents,” Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao said in a news release on Saturday.

The DSWD spokesperson reported that the DSWD FO-11 remains in constant coordination with local government units (LGUs) that have open evacuation centers.

“Currently, some 739 families or 3,158 individuals are staying in five evacuation centers in Davao Occidental. We are checking with the LGUs if they need additional food and non-food items for the displaced residents. Our regional office has 157,339 FFPs and standby funds available for augmentation if the need arises,” Dumlao said.

In Region 12 (Soccsksargen) where an ITCZ is also affecting the provinces of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat, the DSWD has started coordinating with concerned LGUs for the provision of assistance.

In a report to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday, Regional Director Loreto Cabaya Jr. said the FO initially extended PHP86,000 in relief aid to the residents of Alabel town in Sarangani.

Cabaya reported that there are around 400 families or 1,600 individuals staying in evacuation centers in General Santos City, and Alabel and Glan in Sarangani.

Dumlao said DSWD staff in the two regions are on standby to assist LGUs in their disaster operations even during the holidays. (PNA)