Over PHP9.33 million worth of assistance has been released to families affected by the southwest monsoon and enhanced by Tropical Cyclone “Ferdie” in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD, in its Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) report No. 7 furnished on Monday, said it released 10,024 family food packs worth more than PHP8.5 million and 356 non-food items costing PHP514,744 augmenting the PHP204,150 aid from local government units for around 19.36 percent of the affected population.

“A total of 517,781 families or 175,908 persons are affected in 483 barangays in Western Visayas,” the DSWD report said.

Further, 240 houses were damaged, 30 were destroyed in the region.

The report said 9,735 families or 30,739 persons were displaced. Of the displaced, 7,079 families are taking shelter in 346 evacuation centers in the region, while 2,656 families are with their families.

Currently, DSWD has PHP141.44 million in total standby funds and stockpile.

It has 95,645 standby family food packs costing over PHP77.41 million, other food and non-food items worth PHP61.02 million, and PHP3 million standby funds.

Gov’t housing program

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas urged residents near coastal areas to avail of the government’s housing program so they do not face grave danger during inclement weather.

Treñas made the call as most of the affected families caused by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Bebinca were living in the coastal areas.

At least 86 houses were damaged by strong winds and rough waves due to the bad weather, affecting 112 families or 444 individuals.

Of the affected houses, four were totally destroyed, and the rest were partially damaged.

He said the 240-unit housing project of the National Housing Authority in Barangay San Isidro is nearing completion.

“We will encourage them to get a unit in San Isidro. But it will have to be explained to them that they will be paying PHP2,500 monthly,” he said, adding that they will try to enroll them with the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG to avail of the housing program. (PNA)