(By Ellicia Del Mundo)

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo gave cash assistance and food packs to victims affected by the magnitude earthquake in Bangued, Abra on Wednesday, July 27.

“Kailangan po nila ng mga pagkain dahil sarado po ang mga tindahan, mga business establishment dito sa Bangued. Natakot siguro. Naka-ready naman ho ang DSWD dito sa provincial area at region, base sa utos ng Pangulo. Actually umaga pa lang po, before ng SONA, naka-preposition na po itong mga pagkain kaya madali nalang po maibaba at maibigay sa mga LGU (Local Government Unit) at evacuation centers,” Tulfo said in an interview during DZRH’s Special Coverage.

“Aside from that, magbibigay po kami ng 1 million piso sa mga kababayan natin na na-apektuhan at meron pa po kaming parating na another 5 million po bukas ng umaga. Manggagaling po yan sa regional office po namin, sa CAR. Meron naman din pong parating na naman na another 5,000 food boxes“ he added.

Tulfo said the financial aid is from the Assistance to Individual Crisis (AICS) fund, a help extended by DSWD in times of crisis.

He added that in case the AICS fund is insufficient, DSWD’s Quick Reaction (QRS) fund will be released.