TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Eastern Visayas (DSWD-8) has started distributing emergency cash assistance and relief supplies to families affected by the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that jolted parts of the region on May 4.
The agency said its disaster response personnel, known as the “Angels in Red Vest,” were immediately deployed to affected communities to provide assistance to residents impacted by the strong tremor.
Among the areas assisted was Barangay Cantongtong in Jiabong, Samar, where DSWD personnel delivered family food boxes to two affected families.
The agency also provided non-food items such as sleeping kits and kitchen kits to help families cope with their immediate needs following the earthquake.
In addition, the affected households received cash relief assistance amounting to P10,000 each to support their recovery.
Meanwhile, in Dolores, Eastern Samar, DSWD-8 extended P10,000 in financial assistance to the family of an individual who sustained injuries during the quake.
The agency said the aid forms part of its ongoing disaster response operations aimed at helping affected residents recover from the impact of the earthquake, particularly vulnerable households and injured individuals.
DSWD-8 added that the cash assistance was immediately released through its sub-field offices to speed up the delivery of aid to affected communities.
The magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck Eastern Samar on Monday afternoon, May 4, and was felt across several provinces in Eastern Visayas, prompting inspections of public infrastructure and emergency response operations in different areas. While no major widespread damage was reported, several families were affected and required immediate assistance.
The regional office said it continues to coordinate with local government units and disaster response agencies across Eastern Visayas to validate reports, identify additional affected families, and provide further assistance when necessary.
(ROCHELLE T. MORILLA, LNU STUDENT INTERN)
