The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has provided relief assistance to families and communities affected by the weather disturbances Kristine (Trami) and Pepito (Man-Yi) in 2024, and the recent shear line.

In a report on Monday, DSWD-5 Regional Director Norman Laurio said the agency delivered PHP10.5 million worth of family food packs (FFPs) and non-food relief items to the affected areas across the region over the weekend.

In Catanduanes, 962 FFPs were distributed in Barangays Balatohan, Kilikilihan, JM Alberto, and Tobrehon in San Miguel town.

In Capalonga, Camarines Norte, 104 families in Barangays Catabaguangan and Alayao received similar assistance.

In Sorsogon, seven barangays in the municipality of Donsol —De Vera, Banban, San Vicente, Tongdol, Bayawas, Tuba, and Mapoc— benefited from the distribution of 1,173 FFPs.

Laurio added they also provided 362 non-food relief items, including kitchen kits, family kits, hygiene kits, and sleeping kits, to families whose homes were damaged by the typhoons in Barangays San Vicente, Bacolod, San Juan, and Buluang in Bato, Camarines Sur.

Another 620 FFPs were delivered to affected families in Barangays Sta. Cruz, Tres Reyes, Divina Pastora, and San Rafael in the same municipality.

DSWD-5 also distributed FFPs to 11,141 fishermen from 78 barangays in the municipalities of Tinambac, Lagonoy, San Jose, and Sagñay.

Laurio said the relief distribution aims to provide additional support and recovery services to the affected fisherfolk.

DSWD-Bicol, he added, will continue distributing assistance in the coming days to other municipalities such as Siruma, Goa, Presentacion, Caramoan, and Garchitorena. (PNA)