Eleven thousand families from 2 cities namely Dumaguete and Tanjay and 8 municipalities covering Amlan, Bacong, Mabinay, Pamplona, San Jose, Sibulan, Valencia and Siaton were affected in the Province of Negros Oriental from the recent typhoon “Sendong” that hit the Philippines last December 16, 2011.
46 were reported dead, 39 injured and 7 still missing after four days of search and rescue operations. These figures do not yet include those areas which cannot yet be reached due to broken bridges, washed our roads and debris blocking the way.
The picture might seem bleak but the immediate relief operations organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development headed by its Regional Director Ma. Evelyn B. Macapobre at the Macias Sports Complex has alleviated the sufferings of the victims in less than 24 hours from the occurrence of the flood.
Over P2,207,000.00 has been released by DSWD-7 within 48 hours and it continues to distribute goods and clothing to the affected families.
Seeing the need for shelter as one of the basic needs of a family, President Benigno Aquino together with DSWD Secretary “Dinky” Soliman promised to provide core shelter assistance in the amount of P70T per family whose houses were totally damaged. However, this could only be achieved as soon as their respective municipalities can find a safe site were they can be relocated.
To date, DSWD still continues to reach out to as many affected families as possible, encouraging volunteers to help in the preparation and packing of relief goods as well as call for good hearted people to share whatever they can for the families in need continues.