Tuguegarao City – More than a month after Typhoon Ompong made landfall over Cagayan province, the field office has fulfilled its mandate for the prompt distribution of assistance to families affected by the typhoon.

To date, a total of 81,566 family food packs where distributed to affected cities/municipalities across the region with a total cost of assistance for food and non-food items totaling P39,311,011.00.

Local Government Units (LGUs) who were given family food packs where then mandated to immediately distribute the assistance to affected constituents for quick provision of aid.

The field office, though lacking in manpower, was able to swiftly retrieve reports of affected families and individuals coming from LGUs which were then used as basis for the provision of relief items to those affected.

Aside from relief goods, the agency shall also provide Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to families/individuals whose houses were partially/totally-damaged by the typhoon.

According to DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 19 Series of 2018 “Guidelines in the Implementation of the Emergency Shelter Assistance for the Typhoon “Ompong”-affected Households with Damaged Houses,” under Part VIII. Implementation Mechanisms, specifically under Social Preparation of LGUs, Sub Item 1.1.3., the LGU identifies ESA beneficiaries and certifies their duly accomplished application form.

After the lists of beneficiaries are submitted, the field office ensures the master listing of beneficiaries for submission to the DSWD Central Office, which then generates funds for the total budgetary requirement based on the needs of the field office. ### By: Chester Carlo M. Trinidad, Social Marketing Unit