More than PHP4.4 million worth of food and non-food items were distributed to local government units (LGUs) affected by Tropical Storm Florita (international code name Ma-on), the Department of Social Welfare and Development said Thursday.

Of this figure, the bulk of assistance worth PHP3.1 million was delivered in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), the DSWD said in a press release.

The rest were provided in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region), 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4-A (Calabarzon), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Meanwhile, the DSWD is also assisting LGUs in monitoring the condition of 669 families or 2,057 persons currently taking temporary shelter in 36 evacuation centers in the said regions.

It also assured that the agency will continue to coordinate with concerned LGUs to ensure the sufficiency of resources for distribution to the affected population through its Field Offices (FOs).

DSWD is the lead agency for the Camp Coordination and Camp Management Cluster.

“Florita” severely affected Northern Luzon, while the southwest monsoon, which it enhanced, affected Southern Luzon, particularly Bicol.

A total of 11,953 families or 47,169 individuals were affected by the bad weather in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calbarzon, CAR and National Capital Region or Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, 1,726 families or 6,623 individuals are being sheltered in 129 evacuation centers with the remainder staying with relatives and friends.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. suspended government offices and classes in public schools in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan due to rains and floods caused by the weather disturbance. (PNA)