BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) with the Response Cluster and Early Recovery Pillar chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) are focusing response efforts to the province of Apayao that was badly hit by Tropical Cyclone Marce.
The DSWD-CAR recorded a total of 18,011 families or 62,536 individuals in 181 barangays in the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Kalinga and Mountain Province that were affected by Tropical Cyclone Marce that reached typhoon category while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) from November 4-8.
Of the affected Cordillera population, 14,164 families (49,169 individuals) are from the province of Apayao.
Some 2,209 families (6,370 individuals) were served inside 62 evacuation centers while 1,008 were served outside ECs temporarily moving in with Relatives and friends.
DSWD-CAR Regional Director Maria Aplaten and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Enrique H. Gascon Jr conducted an on-ground monitoring and validation in Apayao and met with provincial officials headed by Governor Elias Bulut Jr. on Monday (Nov.11).
They also led an initial provision of assistance to low income earners whose livelihood were affected through the DSWD AKAP or the Ayuda sa sa Kapos ang Kita Program. An AKAP assistance of P5,000 each was provided to 182 families in the municipality of Pudtol and 208 families in the municipality of Luna.
Replenishment of food and non-food items stockpile is also ongoing. The DSWD-CAR already delivered 3,000 Family Food Packs from its regional warehouse in La Trinidad, Benguet to the Apayao Social Welfare and Development Office.
It is also set to deliver another 3,000 FFPs in the province while another 10,000 FFPs from the DSWD National Resource Operations Center are also bound for Apayao.
As of November 12 data, the DSWD-CAR already provided augmentation assistance of around P6.49 million worth of food and non-food items to the typhoon-affected population in the region.
The Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera also provided around P1.07 million worth of non-food items (tarpaulin roll, temporary shelter tent, family kits, shelter repair tents and hygiene kits) and logistic support (provision of fuel for FNFI hauling) for Apayao.
With the power interruption and intermittent communication network due to the typhoon, the DSWD Mobile Command Center was also deployed in the province to ensure continuous coordination and communication during the TC Marce response operations.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology-Cordillera also installed wireless communication system at the Provincial DRRM Office.
The DSWD also deployed its Mobile Command Center in some areas in Apayao for free charging and Wifi for the residents to contact their families or relatives.
Meanwhile, CRDRRMC Chairperson and OCD-CAR Regional Director Albert Mogol reminded the council member agencies and local DRRM Councils in the region that simultaneous with the implementation of response efforts from the effects of the recent tropical cyclones, it is equally important to maintain heightened alert, preparedness and response readiness with three tropical cyclones entering PAR this week. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
