The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released PHP88.47 million worth of assistance to families affected by recent massive floods and landslides in the Eastern Visayas region.

In a report on Tuesday, the DSWD regional office in Eastern Visayas said the amount covers the cost of 129,719 family food packs (FFPs) provided to families affected by the bad weather.

DSWD regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua said they augmented FFPs and assorted non-food items to support all towns affected by floods triggered by the shear line and low pressure area.

The DSWD continues to coordinate with affected towns and other government agencies to facilitate the distribution of relief goods,” Chua said in a phone interview.

The DSWD helped families affected by floods in Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Capul, Catubig, Gamay, Lapinig, Las Navas, Lavezares, Palapag, Pambujan, Lope de Vega, Laoang, Mapanas, Mondragon, San Roque, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Jose, San Roque, San Vicente, Silvino Lubos, Victoria in Northern Samar.

Earlier, the DSWD committed to providing 100,000 FFPs for Northern Samar province alone.

Other recipients are from the towns of Arteche, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog, and Oras in Eastern Samar; Calbayog City, Gandara, San Jorge, and Sta. Margarita in Samar; Naval, Biliran; and Bontoc, Southern Leyte.

Each FFP, costing PHP500, contains six kilograms of rice, four cans of corned beef, two cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee, and five sachets of energy drink.

The NFIs include sleeping kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, laminated sacks, plastic mats, modular tents, and kitchen utensils.

Under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, the local governments are the first responders, and the DSWD has to augment the response efforts after disasters.

The DSWD has been coordinating with other Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council members to fast-track the aid distribution.

The DSWD regional office now maintains more than PHP6.07 million standby funds and at least PHP122.01 million worth of FFPs and NFIs prepositioned in strategic locations.

The floods have affected 609,870 people in 691 villages in Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and Southern Leyte.

As of Nov. 26, at least 76,138 individuals remained in evacuation centers in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar provinces.

Massive floods destroyed some 57 houses and partially damaged 249 other houses.

Meanwhile, the Northern Samar provincial government has received some PHP6.72 million of financial assistance and in-kind contributions as of Nov. 27.

The local government thanked individuals, businesses, and organizations for their support of the ongoing recovery efforts for Northern Samar.

The Northern Samar donation center continues to accept contributions through its provincial general services office. (PNA)