The delivery of more than 7,000 relief items to the province of Apayao has started to ensure adequate supply for the typhoon-battered province, which has declared a state of calamity.

A total of 6,100 family food packs (FFPs), 300 hygiene kits, 200 sleeping kits, 200 modular tents, 100 family kits, 20 family tents, and 200 rolls of laminated sacks are being transported from the regional warehouse in Benguet to support the immediate relief efforts for affected communities, DSWD-Cordillera Administrative Region director Maria Aplaten said.

The DSWD’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) has also allocated 10,000 FFPs, with 5,100 already in Apayao, she said.

“We are replenishing the supplies at the DSWD-Apayao satellite warehouse with essential food and non-food items,” she said.

Aplaten said transportation, unloading and distribution of the supplies were made through collaborative efforts of the police, military, the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Public Works and Highways, municipal action teams and local government units (LGUs).

“This united actions demonstrates the unwavering commitment to protect lives and restore hope in times of disaster,” she said.

Apayao’s Provincial Board passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity in the whole province last Nov. 9, following a request from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC).

The declaration will allow the mobilization of immediate assistance and allocation of resources to aid calamity-affected communities.

Based on the PDRRMC’s report, at least 13,964 families with 49,398 individuals were adversely affected by Typhoon Marce (international name Yinxing), particularly on Nov. 7 to 8.

Damage to agricultural crops, livestock and poultry was recorded at around PHP19.69 million, while it amounted to about PHP65.9 million for lifeline utilities such as roads and bridges.

Educational, health and social welfare facilities incurred damage of about PHP11 million while 66 houses were totally damaged and 4,769 partially damaged, authorities said.

“As instructed by President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), we will not just assure availability of supplies but also immediate delivery of assistance,” Aplaten said.

She said there are continuous distribution of aid under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) and the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

“With the series of parading typhoons experienced in the Cordillera, the assistance is continuing. There were those affected by the first typhoons and again affected. We cannot just set aside their situation because they are in need of our help and we will extend that most needed assistance,” she added. (PNA)