MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided PHP2.89 million worth of relief items to families affected by intense rainfall in Mindanao due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). DSWD spokesperson Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency is continuously coordinating with local government units to provide immediate assistance and comfort to affected families. The DSWD’s Field Offices in the affected regions are on high alert to ensure that family food packs and essential non-food items reach disaster-hit families. The agency has distributed food packs to 376 families in flood-hit areas and has also delivered relief aid to various barangays where heavy rains led to flash floods and landslides. The DSWD maintains PHP12 million in standby funds and 419,645 family food packs, which are ready to be tapped for disaster response operations.
