Manila: Department of Social Welfare and Development: Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Wednesday committed to providing all forms of assistance to families and individuals in the Bicol region until they fully recover from the devastation left by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian made the remark during a media interview as he accompanied President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on his visit to flood-hit Camarines Sur to oversee the distribution of both the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families and the DSWD’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program to affected families and individuals.

‘Nandun na tayo sa recovery, meaning alam natin na habang kinukumpuni ng mga tao, they are going back to their normal lives, kailangan pa rin nating bigyan ng suportang pagkain kasi nga bumabalik pa lang sila sa normal scene (We are already in the recovery [stage], meaning we know that while people are recuperating, as they return to their normal
lives, we still need to provide them food support),’ he said.

About 5,000 beneficiaries are scheduled to receive PHP10,000 each under the DSWD’s AKAP Program in the province of Camarines Sur.

As of press time, the DSWD has distributed humanitarian assistance worth PHP875.29 million to families affected by Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon across the country.

The department is also continuing its replenishment of family food packs in its spokes and last-mile warehouses across the country to immediately accommodate augmentation support requests from local government units.