MASBATE CITY – Families in Masbate province whose homes were destroyed or damaged by a recent fire received financial and material assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Bicol-AICS information officer, the support was provided under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program following the disaster that struck on Monday.
The aid distribution involved 15 families whose homes were completely destroyed, each receiving PHP 10,000, while two families with partially damaged homes received PHP 5,000 each. The incident, which occurred on May 2 in Barangay Bapor, prompted the immediate release of both food and non-food items totaling PHP 128,772.90. The aid included two family food packs and sets of non-food relief items such as sleeping kits, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and 10 meters of laminated sacks.
DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to timely and effective support for families affected by calamities, emphasizing their readiness to be the first responders on the ground.
Additionally, the Bureau of Fire Protection-Masbate continues to investigate the cause of the fire, seeking to understand the origin and prevent future incidents.