The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured those affected by typhoon “Ferdie” (international name “Meranti”) in Batanes that everything is being done to deliver the needed assistance as soon as possible.
Upon confirmation by the Philippine Air Force and weather permitting, DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo is hoping that relief assistance for families affected by Ferdie will be airlifted via C130 to Batanes today.
DSWD has a relief shipment of 20,000 ready-to-eat brown rice bars, 800 family food packs, 5,000 “malong” or blankets, 5,000 bottles of water, three generators from the Office of Civil Defense and DSWD, 40 rolls of ropes, and 30 rolls of laminated sacks.
These goods have been at the Villamor Airbase since September 14.
The airlift will proceed as soon as a safe window of opportunity is available and will transport the items along with the Rapid Emergency Telecommunications Team and the Rapid Damage and Needs Analysis Team from Region 2 or Cagayan Valley. (Ellalyn B. de Vera)