The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) provided financial assistance to 2,870 residents of the Agusan del Sur town of San Luis, whose houses were damaged by flooding last month.

On Thursday, the agency released a total of PHP14.3 million in cash to the beneficiaries in a payout under its Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program.

“Each affected resident received PHP5,000 in cash assistance through the ECT program. The amount they received is intended for the repair of their houses damaged during the floods that hit the barangay in February this year,” the DSWD-13 said in a statement.

The town was among the areas affected by the recent flooding in the province due to heavy rains caused by the shear line and the trough of the low-pressure area.

Among the aid recipients was Dante Calderon of Barangay Doña Calderon, who lauded the government for its immediate support.

“My house was submerged for days during the flooding and incurred several damages, especially the kitchen area and the roofing,” he said.

Calderon said the financial aid is enough to buy his family the needed materials and food.

The recent flooding submerged a dozen towns in Agusan del Sur that displaced thousands of residents. In its report, the DSWD-13 said 86,979 family food packs were augmented to the affected towns in a series of deliveries conducted last month. (PNA)