SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo lauded the efforts of youth and other private groups who extended aid to victims of Typhoon "Nina."

“Lubos po ang aming pasasalamat sa mga private individuals at organizations na naghatid ng tulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Nina lalo na sa mga lugar na hindi pa naaabutan ng tulong mula sa pamahalaan. Isa po sa kanila ay isang grupo ng kabataan mula Marinduque na nagbigay ng mga relief goods at mga materyales sa pagkukumpuni ng mga nasirang tirahan ng mga kababayan nating naapektuhan ng bagyo,” said Sec. Taguiwalo.

“Bukod po sa mga nagpapamahagi ng mga donasyon, nais ko rin pong magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga tumugon sa panawagan ng DSWD na tumulong sa relief operation para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Nina. Ito po ay isang patunay na buhay na buhay ang Bayanihan ng mga Pilipino,” added the secretary.

As of January 3, report from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) revealed a total of P158,421,799 worth of relief assistance has been provided to affected families in Regions Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas, and stranded passengers in Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

From the given amount, the DSWD provided P154,115,468 worth of assistance as resource augmentation for local government units (LGUs).

LGUs and non-government organizations (NGOs) provided a total of P4,225,832.00 and P80,500.00 worth of relief resources, respectively.

Currently, the DSWD is continuously coordinating with National Government Agencies (NGAs) and LGUs in providing assistance to 471,453 families or 2,125,555 individuals affected in Regions Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas.

The number of families displaced in the different regions increased to 388,943 families or 1,774,729 individuals, of which, 7,627 families or 32,773 individuals are still staying in 81 evacuation centers, while the others went back to their homes.

Meanwhile, the department will continue to send augmentation support to LGUs and other needed assistance in the relief operations for Nina victims.

Taguiwalo also called on the public to report irregularities in the distribution of relief items to affected families.

“Mahigpit pong ipinagbabawal na galawin ng mga lokal na opisyal ang DSWD food packs para hati-hatiin ang laman nito. Kung may ganitong pangyayari, maaari nyo pong ireport sa amin o sa 8888 and insidente kasama ang litrato o kahit anong pruweba tungkol sa nakita ninyong iregularidad,” said Taguiwalo. (DSWD-PR)