The Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed 1,621 family food packs (FFPs) to residents in fishing communities in Samar province badly affected by Typhoon Egay.

The distribution is just an initial assistance as the agency identified 6,196 families or over 20,000 individuals affected by the weather disturbance, DSWD Eastern Visayas regional information officer Jonalyndie Chua said on Tuesday.

Priorities are residents dependent on fishing but were not allowed to catch fish for days due to rough seas brought about by Typhoon Egay last week. The typhoon also enhances habagat, the southwest monsoon characterized by frequent heavy rainfall.

Chua said recipients are from the island towns of Tagapul-an, Sto. Niño and Almagro.

Each FFP contains six kilos of rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna flakes, two cans of sardines, five sachets of coffee and five sachets of cereal drink, which are enough for a family of five for two to three days.

“The regional office has been coordinating with the municipal social welfare and development office, Philippine National Police, and town council in these areas to facilitate the distribution,” Chua said in a phone interview.

Typhoon Egay’s fierce winds hit Samar Island on July 25 to 26, prompting authorities to suspend all sea trips.

The department continues to monitor the weather situation in Eastern Visayas due to the habagat so local governments in need of augmentation can be immediately assisted. (PNA)