The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 5 (Bicol) has provided nearly PHP150 million worth of relief assistance to the families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) in the region as of Monday morning.

In a report, DSWD-5 disaster response management division information officer Carl James Cabarles said distributions of family food packs and non-food items are being conducted for the disaster victims.

He said DSWD has provided PHP147.4 million in humanitarian aid to the hard-hit communities, displaced families, and stranded passengers across various regional ports.

“The assistance includes distributing family food packs (FFPs), gallons of water, six liters of bottled water donated by Maynilad, essential non-food relief items, and financial assistance to families in affected municipalities throughout the region,” he added.

Cabarles said they are expecting continuous arrival of FFPs and other non-food items.

“Six trucks with family food packs (FFPs) from the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB) are currently being unloaded in Naga City. We also have eight trucks in our regional warehouse in Legazpi City. We are also expecting additional FFPs arriving at Bicol International Airport,” he said.

Cabarles said 556,958 families or 2,395,970 individuals were affected by the storm across the six provinces in the region.

He said 60,005 families or 241,110 persons were displaced by the weather disturbance. Of the total, 28,481 families or 115,713 persons are inside 752 evacuation centers, while 31,524 families or 125,397 persons, are staying with relatives.

Meanwhile, the Albay Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Aleco) has restored power supply in 82 percent or 169,221 out of 206,149 households in the province.

In a phone interview, Anj Galero, public information officer of Aleco, said out of the 720 total barangays, 446 already have electricity.

“Our linemen and technical crew are working round-the-clock to restore the power supply in Albay. We are now conducting reassessment in some areas that were previously not passable. Since they are not isolated anymore, our teams can now conduct assessment,” she said.

Galero said that based on the report, damaged lines and poles are now being addressed.

She also thanked Sorsogon Electric Cooperative for the manpower and technical assistance it provided. (PNA)