72K Bicol families affected by weather; DSWD provides PHP15.8M aid

Over 72,000 families in the Bicol Region have been affected by recent weather disturbances since last week.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) reports that 293 families are currently staying in evacuation centers while 636 others are with relatives as of Friday.

Relief operations coordinated with local governments continue, with the DSWD providing PHP15.8 million in aid and additional relief stockpiles worth over PHP252.5 million available for distribution.

The Ako Bicol Party-list has activated its disaster response team and prepositioned seven rubber boats and nine motorized rubber boats for potential deployment.

In Balatan, Camarines Sur, 5,500 food packs have been provided to families affected by floods and landslides, while another 83 families received rice aid in Barangay Ponso, Polangui.