MALASIQUI: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided PHP54.27 million worth of family food packs and other non-food items to around 74,450 families in the Ilocos Region affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon as of November 4.

According to Philippines News Agency, each family food pack includes six kilos of rice, four cans of tuna, four cans of corned beef, two cans of sardines, five sachets of instant coffee, and five sachets of cereal. The distribution efforts have been substantial, with DSWD Ilocos Region data indicating that approximately 63,051 family food packs, 86 six-liter bottled water, and 844 non-food items totaling PHP44.91 million were delivered to residents in Pangasinan.

In Ilocos Norte, around 4,284 family food packs and other non-food items valued at PHP2.99 million were distributed, while Ilocos Sur received 1,315 family food packs and 524 non-food items amounting to PHP2.03 million. Additionally, approximately 5,800 family food packs, a
mounting to PHP4.34 million, were distributed to affected residents in La Union.

Artemio Eslavaa, a farmer from Bugbugcao, San Juan town in La Union, expressed gratitude for the aid received. He mentioned that the strong rains and winds over the past week had destroyed their rice plants just before harvest. “Malaking tulong sa amin ang ibinigay ng DSWD, lalo na’t sunud-sunod na ang bagyo. Malaking bagay ito sa amin kasi mayroong dagdag na pagkain ang aking pamilya (The aid from DSWD is a huge help especially with the successive weather disturbances. This is a huge help since it is additional food for my family),” he said.

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on October 21 and exited on October 25, while Super Typhoon Leon entered on October 26 and exited on November 1.