P8.64-M aid released to Ursula-affected families

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

A total of P8,641,920 worth of assistance were provided to families affected by Typhoon Ursula (international name: Phanfone) which battered Panay Island on Dec 25, 2019.

Some P7,794,120 was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) while P847,800 came from the different local government units (LGUs).

DSWD-6 regional information officer May Rago-Castillo said the aid ranged from financial assistance and food and non-food items.

Castillo said P2.61 million was in the form of financial assistance given to displaced families and families with deceased members.

Pontevedra town in Capiz recorded 272 displaced families who received P5,000 assistance each while the family of two casualties received P20,000 each.

Balasan, Iloilo has 218 displaced families who also received P5,000 each.

Four families in Balasan and two families in Carles also received P20,000 after their loved ones perished during the onslaught of Typhoon Ursula.

Castillo said 1,500 family food packs were also released for Balasan, Iloilo’s Ursula-affected households.

Each also received dignity kits, used clothing, and mats.

Hygiene supplies dubbed as “dignity kits” usually contains toothbrushes, tooth paste, laundry soap, bath soap, shampoo, towels, comb, rubbing alcohol, sanitary napkin, small flashlight, and underwear.

All 272 families in Pontevedra were also provided with family food packs containing six kilos of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of sardines, and sachets of coffee.

Aside from assistance from DSWD, affected residents also received food packs from Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who visited Balasan and Pontevedra towns.