Government Aid Dispatched to Typhoon-Affected Areas in Surigao Sur and Dinagat Islands

BUTUAN CITY: In response to the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Kabayan in December, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) has provided substantial aid to affected families in Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands.

According to Philippines News Agency, approximately 15,956 family food packs (FFPs) were distributed as augmentation to local government units (LGUs) in these regions by the end of December 2023. This effort was in response to the impact of TS Kabayan, which struck parts of Caraga on December 18, particularly impacting Surigao del Sur and the Dinagat Islands.

In Surigao del Sur, the distribution of FFPs was detailed as follows: Bayabas received 1,401 FFPs; Cagwait, 1,794; Cantilan, 2,090; Carmen, 774; Lianga, 4,387; San Agustin, 3,320; and Tago, 2,035. Additionally, in the Dinagat Islands, Libjo received an augmentation of 155 FFPs as of December last year.

Furthermore, DSWD-13 reported the allocation of around PHP 7.6 million through the Cash-for-Work (CFW) program to 2,160 families in Socorro, Surigao del Norte. This program is part of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) initiative. The CFW beneficiaries contributed to community recovery efforts, including declogging canals, participating in cleanup drives, tree planting, and road clearing activities in Socorro.