The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday reported that it already extended 571 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) to families and individuals who were displaced due to the flash floods in Barangay Pasonanca, Zamboanga City evening of Saturday (5 July). 

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) has reported that early morning of Sunday (6 July), the DSWD Field Office 9-Zamboanga Peninsula kicked off the distribution of the needed aid in coordination with the City Local Social Welfare and Development Office of Zamboanga City.

Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson, said the immediate action undertaken by the DSWD and concerned LGUs is in accordance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s marching order to bring immediate relief to disaster-stricken communities.

As of press time, a total of 739 families or 2,374 individuals from Zamboanga City have been affected by the flashflood spawned by the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Nine evacuation centers are currently being used as temporary shelter by displaced residents of Barangays Tumaga, Pasonanca, Boalan, Tugbungan and Lunzuran while some of the residents have safely returned to their homes.

To ensure that all affected population will be reached out, more relief distribution will be carried out in the soonest time possible, according to the DSWD spokesperson said. 

The DSWD spokesperson said the FO-9 maintains sufficient relief items prepositioned across the region, with over 100,000 boxes of FFPs and 20,000 non-food items such as blankets, modular tents and family, kitchen and hygiene kits. 

“We are ready to support LGUs as they respond to the needs of their disaster-hit constituents,” Dumlao said.