The DSWD Field Office VI has so far released P24.1 million-worth of assistance to families affected by Oil Spill in Semirara, Caluya, Antique. Records shows that the department has released 8,300 family food packs with P4.3 million; P189 thousand-worth of non-food items, and P19.6 million worth of financial assistance to the families.
“We want to help the affected families survive, aid them in the immediate recovery and usher them toward rehabilitation stage. DSWD is working hand in hand with the Local Government Unit and other partners to help ease the burden of the families affected,” said Atty. Carmelo N. Nochete, regional director.
Latest report of the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) shows that 8,387 families composed of 30,226 individuals are affected. These families are from Liwagao Island, Brgy. Sibolo; Barangays Tinogboc, Semirara and Alegria, all in Caluya, Antique. Director Nochete said that currently, the agency is implementing Cash for Work for the families. The director also assured that the agency maintains a 58,000-stockpile of goods for any calamity or emergency that may arise.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Local Government of Caluya, Philippine Coast Guard, Office of the Civil Defense, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other Non Government Organizations which are helping in the recovery of the affected families. The Disaster Response Management Division, headed by Judith Tanate Barredo, along with Crisis Intervention Section Head Beverly Salazar, have dispatched workforce in the locality to ensure response and early recovery intervention are in place./dswd6