Camarines Sur, Philippines — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Camarines Sur on Saturday to distribute relief goods and financial assistance to families affected by Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine.”
The visit included stops in Bula and Naga City, where the President, along with Sec. Gatchalian and other cabinet officials, personally checked on the conditions of the affected residents and led the distribution of aid to displaced families.
“Pinuntahan ko lang po kayo para makita ko na maayos naman ang pag-alaga sa inyo,” the President stated.
Through DSWD Bicol, early recovery efforts including financial assistance, were provided to those ready to return home, helping them rebuild after the devastation caused by the storm. Through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program of the agency, 200 severly affected families (1st batch of payout) were given Php10,000.00 each amounting to Php2,000,000.00. The IDPs also received 1,000 pieces of malong and 2,250 poeces of 6-liter purified drinking water.
President Marcos highlighted the challenges faced by communities due to stagnant floodwaters in Bula and other flooded areas.
“Ngunit para sa ngayon ay asahan ninyo, basta’t nandito ang pamahalaan, tuloy-tuloy ang aming pagtulong sa inyo. Sabihan niyo lang. Nandito si Mayor, nandito si (DSWD) Secretary Rex (Gatchalian), nandito ‘yung mga ibang Cabinet secretary para marinig mula sa inyo kung ano ‘yung mga pangangailangan ninyo,” he added.
Sec. Gatchalian confirmed that DSWD is delivering a total of 35,000 food packs to Naga City, with 15,700 already provided.
In addition to the aid for Camarines Sur, 60,000 additional family food packs will be provided to the neighboring province of Albay. Supplies are being sourced from DSWD’s regional warehouses, with ongoing coordination with local governments to ensure additional support as needed.
Meanwhile, in addition to family food packs, PHP 792,748 worth of essential non-food relief items, including hygiene, sleeping, and family kits, have been provided to displaced families.
700 gallons of drinking water are en route to the Bicol region, transported by a Philippine Air Force C-130 aircraft, and are expected to arrive at Daraga Airport later tonight.
According to the latest DSWD Disaster Response Operations Management Information and Communication (DROMIC) Report, 468,390 families—approximately 2 million individuals—across 2,671 barangays in the region have been affected by the storm.
Currently, 32,860 families are displaced, with 148,584 individuals seeking shelter in 851 evacuation centers across the region.
The total relief assistance provided thus far amounts to PHP 78,215,283, delivered by DSWD Field Office V in collaboration with local government units.
Aside from the material support, DSWD has deployed teams for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and IDP protection, as well as psychosocial interventions.
A mobile command center has been deployed in Naga City to offer free Wi-Fi access and charging points for residents.
President Marcos Jr. reiterated the government’s commitment to swiftly assist affected communities until they fully recover and restore normalcy in the region.###