MANILA, Philippines – This box of relief goods has travelled far - on rough roads, across rivers, through carabaos, and from one helping hand to another.
On Wednesday, October 26, it reached far-flung villages of indigenous peoples in Cordillera.
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Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno flew to Kalinga province on Wednesday to conduct a post-disaster rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) and to distribute boxes of relief goods.
Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) hit Northern Luzon on October 19, leaving the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and nearby regions under a state of calamity.
The super typhoon destroyed around 12,000 houses and damaged about P400 million worth of fisheries and crops in the region.
Taguiwalo visited Barangay Cabaruan in Tabuk town in Kalinga to lead the distribution of boxes of relief goods and emergency shelter assistance (ESA).
A box contains the following:
- 6 kilos of rice,
- 4 cans of sardines,
- 4 cans of corned beef or meat loaf
- 6 sachets of coffee or energy drink
The food pack can sustain a family of 5 for two days according to Taguiwalo.
She also reached the remote town of Rizal, the last town of Kalinga near the boundaries of Cagayan and Isabela provinces.
Kalinga was one of the most devastated provinces – 6 people died and at least 2,113 families were severely affected, according to the provincial risk reduction management council (PDRRMC). (READ: Kalinga residents appeal for aid: ‘Don’t forget us’)
DSWD social workers also brought family food packs to Sitio Simod, Barangay Malibang, in Pudtol, Apayao by foot.
So far, DSWD has released around P5.6 million worth of relief goods and also gave shelter aids to the survivors. A cash assistance of P5, 000 was given to families that needed shelter aid.
DSWD also announced on Wednesday that the agency is ready to accept donations.
"We also appeal to the public to have patience with us as we conduct the ongoing validation of areas affected and assessment of their needs because we want to ensure that all donations and relief items will not overlap and will be rationally distributed to rightful beneficiaries,” Taguiwalo said.
The agency can be reached through its CAR hotline 074-442-3946 / 074-446-5961 for those who need assistance and relief goods in the area.
The national hotline 911 and Agos eBayanihan's free text service 2929 (SMART and SUN subscribers) are also ready to receive relief-related reports. – With a report from Voltaire Tupaz/Rappler.com