In a virtual press conference organized by PIA Ilocos Region on Thursday, DSWD-FO1 Regional Director Marie Angela Gopalan said that there are 123,046 total food and non-food items available in the 19 regional and satellite warehouses across Region 1.
These supplies include 93,750 family food packs, 17,066 other food and non-food items, and 12,330 bottles of drinking water, valued at P104,205,968.
These resources are ready for release upon request from local government units (LGUs).
Director Gopalan clarified that the primary responsibility for providing relief operations lies with the LGUs.
This means that LGUs are expected to take the lead in distributing aid and essential supplies to affected communities.
However, Gopalan also emphasized that the DSWD is prepared to offer support if LGUs require additional assistance.
The agency is ready to step in and supplement local relief efforts, particularly in cases where the demand for resources exceeds the capacity of local governments.
“When an LGU submits a request, we carefully review their report on the number of affected families and the assistance they have already provided,” Director Gopalan said.
“We then evaluate each request to determine if it should be granted in full or partially,” she added.
As of October 24, the Office of Civil Defense Ilocos reported that 1,021 families and 3,273 individuals have been evacuated in the entire region from 19 barangays due to severe tropical storm Kristine. By Rocky E. Bautista