Eight families who fled from Leyte quickly received assistance from DSWD Field Office V as soon as they arrived in Legazpi City last November 16.

Leo Cuevas of Kawit-East Washington Drive, rescued his 52 relatives from Tanauan, Leyte with the support of his employer, Nonita Regalado, who volunteered to lend her car to fetch them to Legazpi City.

On the other hand, DSWD provided Cuevas’ family with 15 pieces of sleeping mats, 15 pieces of blankets, 15 pieces of mosquito nets, three pieces of water jugs, 10 packs (30 kilos) of used clothing and DSWD Family Food Packs sufficient for a week’s consumption.

DSWD proposed that they can stay at the evacuation center but they opted to take Regalado’s offer to live temporarily in her apartment for the duration of their recovery.

Help started to pour into Cueva’s relatives from Albay wherein his neighbors also donated cash, food items and clothing.

The local government of Legazpi referred the other members of the clan to Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) for medical assistance and health care. DSWD has also coordinated with Legazpi City’s social worker to facilitate stress debriefing.

In the meantime, preschoolers and elementary children were coordinated with the nearest daycare center and Albay Central School, respectively.