The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has stepped up to support families affected by flash floods in the Davao and Soccsksargen regions, triggered by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). In Davao Occidental, the DSWD Field Office-Davao Region (FO-11) has distributed 887 family food packs (FFPs) valued at PHP541,070 to aid those displaced by the floods. Each FFP includes 6 kg of rice, 10 canned goods, 5 coffee sachets, and 5 cereal drink sachets, designed to support a family of five for two days.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the Disaster Response Management Group highlighted that the DSWD FO-11 is actively coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to manage the situation. Currently, 739 families, totaling 3,158 individuals, are sheltered in five evacuation centers in Davao Occidental. The regional office is prepared with 157,339 FFPs and standby funds to provide further assistance if required.
In the Soccsksargen region, particularly in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat, the DSWD has initiated coordination with LGUs to extend help. The DSWD Field Office in Region 12 has already provided PHP86,000 in relief to residents of Alabel town in Sarangani. Approximately 400 families, or 1,600 individuals, are currently housed in evacuation centers in General Santos City, and Alabel and Glan in Sarangani.
DSWD staff in both regions remain on alert, ready to support LGUs with disaster operations, even during the holiday season, ensuring that aid reaches those in need promptly.