BY: VANESSA BUGTONG
The government, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has distributed nearly four million pesos worth of humanitarian assistance to families affected by recent floods in several Mindanao provinces.
As the rainy season approaches, some northern towns, including Barangay Loakan Proper in Baguio City, are already preparing for the possible impact of storms.
Radcliffe Quilala, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer of Barangay Loakan Proper, explained, “During typhoons, many trees need to be cut down. There are areas where the soil becomes loose, which can trigger landslides, like what almost happened last year near Pungian.”
While the official rainy season declaration is yet to come, provinces in Mindanao are already experiencing heavy rains.
Some areas have even been flooded due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) weather system that affected the region on May 23.
An estimated 57,000 families, or around 176,000 people, in nearly 143 barangays across Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, and the Bangsamoro region have been affected.
In response, the government, together with DSWD, has delivered 4 million pesos in aid, which includes food packs, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and kitchen utensils.
DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said, “We are coordinating continuously with various local government units to provide additional assistance to those affected.”
Authorities assured the public that support and aid programs will continue for those impacted by the disaster, as well as preparations for the coming rainy season.
