The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) (Bicol) has distributed 6,092 family food packs (FFPs) to families affected by El Niño and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, in Pio Duran, Albay.

The food assistance was distributed on Tuesday to affected families in the coastal barangays of Basicao Coastal, Marigondon, Banawan, Barangays 1 to 5, Buenavista, and Malidong in Pio Duran.

In a Wednesday interview, Claudio Villareal, chief of the DSWD-5 Disaster Response and Management Division, said the assistance benefited 6,092 families whose primary livelihood is agriculture, following the municipal government’s declaration of a state of emergency due to the combined effects of the prolonged dry spell and adverse weather conditions.

“The distributed FFPs, with a total value of PHP3.3 million, are intended to sustain a family of five for three days in accordance with DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 24, series of 2024,” he said.

Villareal said DSWD-5 is prepared to provide additional assistance to affected communities, subject to assessment and the availability of funds.

“DSWD-5 has available assistance for affected populations aside from FFPs, including Project LAWA at BINHI, livelihood assistance under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), financial assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Emergency Cash Transfer, and Food or Cash for Work, subject to assessment,” Villareal said.

He said DSWD-5 has sufficient relief resources should more municipalities in the region require assistance due to the continuing effects of El Niño.

As of July 7, DSWD-5 has 345,945 FPPs, 8,155 water supplies, 22,039 ready-to-eat food packs, 13,424 non-food items, and 47,083 other non-food items prepositioned for disaster response.

The agency also continues to coordinate with the local government units and partner agencies to ensure the timely delivery of assistance and other appropriate interventions to affected communities. (PNA)