Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the distribution of relief and cash assistance to families affected by Super Typhoon Julian in the provinces of Batanes and Ilocos Norte on Friday.

“Kaya kami narito ay para matignan kung ano ba talaga ang inyong pangangailangan. Mabuti na lamang na bago dumating yung bagyo ay nakapagdala na kami ng libo-libo na family food packs (FFPs) kaya pagdaan ng bagyo ay nakapag-distribute kaagad (We are here to assess the real needs. It’s fortunate that we have already sent thousands of FFPs before the typhoon, and immediately distributed them after it passed)” President Marcos said during the relief aid distribution at the Oval Plaza in the municipality of Basco in Batanes.

Meanwhile, Gatchalian, together with Undersecretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Diana Rose Cajipe, oversaw the distribution of 2,000 boxes of FFPs to the affected families.

Gatchalian also led the distribution of PHP3,000 in financial aid each to some 200 families under the agency’s Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

The DSWD also gave out water filtration kits that could provide clean water supply to approximately 100 individuals per bucket in a day.

The portable water filtration kit, whose 0.1 micron filters can remove cholera, salmonella, E. Coli, coliform bacteria, includes a bucket adapter filter assembly, drill bit, filter hanger, cleaning plunger, and instruction materials.

The portable water filtration system can be deployed to evacuation centers or communities where water sources and distribution systems are affected or rendered damaged during natural calamities.

President Marcos encouraged the locals to utilize the filtration kits, saying these are safe to use.

After visiting the province of Batanes, the presidential team conducted an aerial inspection of Ilocos Norte to assess the damages caused by Julian in the province.

Following the inspection, President Marcos, together with Gatchalian and other heads of government agencies, led the distribution of relief and cash assistance to Julian-affected families.

A total of 10,588 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Piddig, Pagudpud, Bangui, and Laoag City received cash assistance ranging from PHP3,000 to PHP4,000, depending on the assessment of the DSWD social workers.

The financial aid given was under the AKAP and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the DSWD.

The agency also distributed 800 boxes of FFPs to the affected families.

During the situation briefing on the effects of Julian in Ilocos Norte presided over by the President at the Provincial Capitol in Laoag City, Gatchalian assured Marcos that the DSWD is ready to deliver more FFPs to Ilocos Norte.

“For Ilocos Norte, we have released, as of yesterday (Oct. 3), 15,757 FFPs. We continuously work with the local officials because we are ready to deploy more, Mr. President. As mentioned a while ago, for the region and for Ilocos Norte, we have a standby of close to 100,000 FFPs before the storm hit and we are constantly augmenting that,” Gatchalian reported. (PNA)