DSWD to give early recovery interventions to Batangas Clash victims

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will be providing early recovery interventions to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and families in Batangas City due to the Batangas clash that erupted on September 24. 

An Inquirer report said hundreds of families had to leave their homes because of the skirmishes between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the New People’s Army (NPA) in the area. 

According to the DSWD field office in Calabarzon, the Batangas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council already conducted an assessment with concerned agencies to know which specific early recovery interventions were needed by the families in the 4 affected barangays. 

At present, one evacuation center is willing to serve 113 displaced families or 490 persons in Batangas City. Another 14 families, or 52 persons, are staying outside the evacuation center.

Meanwhile, the DSWD field office in Calabarzon already responded by sending non-food items amounting to P275,212.06. These were made up of of 500 pieces of malong, sleeping mats, and kitchen utensils for the displaced locals.

The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWDO) of Batangas and the Philippine Red Cross-Batangas chapter also gave away family food packs. – Rappler.com