TACLOBAN CITY – Following the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety and welfare of calamity-affected communities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), under Secretary Rex Gatchalian, has taken the lead in delivering immediate assistance to families devastated by Typhoon Opong.
The powerful weather disturbance struck parts of the Visayas late last week, leaving behind damaged houses, displaced families, and casualties in its wake. To address urgent humanitarian needs, the DSWD, in coordination with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), local government units (LGUs), and other partner agencies, has been mobilizing aid across affected provinces.
As of midday on October 1, the agency has distributed 42,906 family food packs, 400 ready-to-eat meals, 704 non-food relief items, and P665,000 in cash assistance. The total value of support provided has reached P27,173,508.73.
The “Angels in Red Vests,” as DSWD’s frontline responders are known, continue to be deployed in hard-hit areas to ensure that survivors’ immediate needs are addressed while helping communities transition toward recovery.
This whole-of-nation approach underscores the government’s commitment to work in solidarity with local stakeholders and humanitarian partners in delivering timely aid, building resilience, and restoring hope to families impacted by Typhoon Opong.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
