The DSWD Field Office Eight, under the leadership of Regional Director Leticia Diokno, is currently keeping a close watch, specially over flood and landslide – prone areas in the region, with the continuous heavy rains taking place throughout the week.

Diokno reported that the Field Office has received reports via text messages from some local government units of Leyte province, although it did not receive any requests for augmentation support.   “Still, we are on standby, and we are ready to dispatch family food packs to the affected areas, if needed,” she pointed out.

The DSWD Regional Director, however, reminded the local social welfare and development officers to submit timely reports to the field office so necessary services will be provided to the victims, and whether augmentation assistance from the DSWD is needed.

As of January 16, there were about 140 family – evacuees at the Pukyutan Hall of Abuyog, as floodwaters have reached to five feet, while in Javier, a total of 2, 478 families coming from 14 barangays were affected by flooding. The Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Council has distributed Php 135,000.00 worth of food commodities to the victims.

The Field Office also received reports that the municipalities of La Paz, Burauen, and Mayorga, particularly in its low-lying barangays, were also stricken by floods. In La Paz, it was reported that 80 families had sought refuge in the homes of relatives, and five others, in a designated evacuation center.

For the two other municipalities, there was no report yet as to the number of evacuees.