Baguio city: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) has announced that the financial assistance provided to residents affected by Super Typhoon Uwan has reached nearly PHP19,525,353.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD-CAR reported that as of November 18, the immediate assistance, which included family food packs, non-food items, and financial aid, amounted to PHP16 million. Additionally, local government units, non-government organizations, and other partners contributed approximately PHP3.52 million in assistance.

Current records indicate that 2,879 families remain displaced, with 692 families residing in evacuation centers, while others have sought temporary refuge with relatives and friends. Maria Aplaten, the regional director of DSWD-CAR, emphasized the department’s ongoing commitment to providing support, stating that they will continue to extend assistance to all those affected by the typhoon.

DSWD-CAR data revealed that by November 14, the super typhoon had impacted 45,020 families or 154,166 individuals across 831 barangays in the region. Aplaten noted that every affected individual has been profiled and that barangays will assist in ensuring the distribution of additional aid tailored to the specific needs of each family, even if they are no longer in evacuation centers.

Aplaten highlighted the cultural preference of many families to stay with relatives rather than in evacuation centers and assured that aid would still be provided to those staying with family. The region currently has 65,588 family food packs, 19,705 non-food items, and 2,910 ready-to-eat packs being distributed to replenish what was distributed during the typhoon.

Further requests for family food packs and supplies are being addressed, with some deliveries being facilitated by the Philippine Air Force.