DSWD extends P863M worth of cash aid to Davao flood victims

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided at least P863 million worth of cash assistance to over 80,000 individuals affected by the heavy rains spurred by the shear line over Davao Region in January. 

A total of 86,724 beneficiaries in Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte have received financial aid from the DSWD Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) Program since Feb.6, according to the agency. Each beneficiary received at least P9,960, or 75% of the current minimum wage for 30 days, it added. 

In January, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 16 people died due to the onslaught of the weather system. Around 670,807 people or 152,642 families in the Caraga and Davao Regions were affected by the shear line.

Of the affected population, 13,944 persons, or 3,765 families were staying in evacuation centers, while 18,172 individuals, or 4,825 families were taking shelter in other places.

The NDRRMC meanwhile recorded 78 landslides and 70 flooding incidents.
 
Infrastructure damage was valued at P26,870,000, while agriculture damage was pegged at P14,040,579.

A state of calamity was declared in New Corella, Kapalong, Carmen, Braulio E. Dujali, Santo Tomas, Barangay Cambanogoy in Asuncion (Saug) all in Davao del Norte; as well as in Santa Josefa, Loreto, and Veruela in Agusan del Sur. —LDF, GMA Integrated News