On December 16, 2017, tropical storm Urduja made landfall in Region VIII. The storm caused cloudy skies, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, flashfloods and landslides. This was followed by several consecutive weather disturbances, including Vinta, Agaton and a low-pressure area. Despite the damage caused by these storms, DSWD Region VIII remained active in assisting the families affected by the storms.

Based on reports gathered by the Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), Urduja hit 2,230 barangays in 120 municipalities across Region VIII. The storm affected 419,991 families (1,786,218 individuals). Based on the same report, 1,569 evacuation centers were activated during the storm, sheltering 86,185 families who were displaced. These reports were validated and coordinated by the Social Welfare Action Development Team (SWADT), the Project Development Officers (PDOs) of Disaster Response Assistance and Management Unit (DReAMU) and the various Local Government Units (LGUs) which were affected by the storm.

DSWD provided aid to these families, through the distribution of both family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items, such as malongs, hygiene kits, clothes and blankets. Over-all, DSWD extended assistance worth P159,002,103.50 to various LGUs. This figure includes 331,475 FFPs worth P103,532,901.50; 214,069 malongs worth P38,532,420 and 41,416 hygiene kits worth P13,957,192.

These FFPs were packed at the DSWD’s Regional Resource Operations Center. Each pack contains 4 cans of beef loaf, 4 cans of corned beef, 6 kilos of rice, 3 sachets of coffee and 3 sachets of cereal drink. These packs are sufficient for a family of up to 6 members for 2-3 days. The hygiene packs contain soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and several kits specifically packed for women contain napkins.

DSWD wishes to acknowledge donors and partners, down to the local government unit, for the support in the relief operations of Typhoon Urduja. Lately, DSWD received P150,000.00 as donation by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers for the province of Biliran.

Biliran was heavily affected by Urduja, when the heavy rains caused landslides and destroyed several bridges. Due to the destruction of these bridges, relief goods had to be delivered with the assistance of the Philippine Navy and the 546th ECB and the 8th FSSU of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Urduja and consecutive weather disturbances prompted DSWD to establish emergency relief hubs across the region, to allow easier access and distribution of Relief Goods. According to Regional Director Restituto Macuto in a speech given during the turn-over ceremony of the Core Shelter Assistance Project (CSAP) in Allen, Northern Samar “It would be easier to withdraw relief goods from these hubs rather than go to our hub in Tacloban.”

Aside from FFPs and non-food items, DSWD also extended financial assistance to 11 fishermen who were rescued when their fishing vessel capsized off Eastern Samar. These fishermen were given financial assistance to cover their medical and food expenses. (see: https://fo8.dswd.gov.ph/…/a-dswd-christmas-miracle-story/) Also, DSWD provided burial assistance worth P76,000 for the families of four victims who died when a low-pressure area caused a landslide in Brgy. 43B, Tacloban City.#