DSWD Extends P24.6 M Worth of Aid for Families Displaced by Armed Conflict

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released, as of March 19, a total of P24,577,690 worth of food packs, and other food and non-food items to assist families affected by the ongoing armed conflict in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Surigao Del Sur.

Maguindanao was provided with P20,103,800 worth of assistance while North Cotabato received P4,421,600. Surigao del Sur was given P52,290 worth of food packs and other food and non-food items.

The DSWD released the relief supplies either through the DSWD-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) or through concerned local government units (LGUs) as well as through the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH)-Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The Department also continues to closely monitor the situation of families in the 13 towns of Maguindanao, the town of Pikit in North Cotabato where there is an on-going clash between the government and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and in Bitaugan, Surigao Del Sur where a clash between the Philippine Army and the New People’s Army (NPA) occurred.

A total of 26,959 families or 131,775 persons have been affected by the continuing armed conflict in these towns.

Some 19, 918 families or 99, 590 persons are staying in the 75 evacuation centers set-up in Mamasapano, Pagalungan, Datu Salibo, Shariff Saydona, Datu Unsay, Shariff Aguak, Raja Buayan, Datu Hoffer, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Guindulungan, Talayan, Talitay, Datu Anggal Maguindanao, and Pikit, North Cotabato.

However, there is no evacuation center set-up in Bitaugan, Surigao Del Sur.

The breakdown of affected families per municipality is:

Mamasapano with 5,723 families composed of 28, 615 persons;

Pagalungan with 1,820 families composed of 9, 100 persons;

Datu Salibo with 3, 365 families composed of 16, 825 persons;

Shariff Saydona with 2, 670 families composed of 13, 350 persons;

Datu Unsay with 966 families or 4,830 persons;

Shariff Aguak with 3, 213 families or 16,065 persons;

Raja Buayan with 555 families or 2,775 persons;

Datu Hoffer with 128 families or 640 persons;

Datu Saudi Ampatuan 2, 284 families or 11, 420 persons;

Guindulungan with 999 families or 4,995 persons;

Talayan with 956 families or 4, 780 persons;

Talitay with 712 families or 3,560 persons;

Datu Anggal Maguindanao with 243 families or 1,215 persons;

Pikit with 3,200 families or 16,000 persons; and

Bitaugan with 125 families or 625 persons.

The DSWD- Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) has recorded 45 totally damaged houses in Pagalungan and Pikit due to the armed conflict.

To ensure accurate, reliable and timely disaster response and reporting on the ongoing armed conflict in Mindanao, DSWD will provide staff augmentation to Field Offices in Region XII and CARAGA and will activate the regional twinning for operations and reporting functions. (DSWD)