CAPIZ — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has assured full government support for residents of Capiz affected by Tropical Storm “Ramil”, which devastated large parts of the province, particularly Roxas City.
During his visit to the province on October 21, Gatchalian emphasized that, under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the national government will ensure that no affected community is left behind in the recovery process.
“We are here to make sure that our fellow Filipinos in Capiz, especially in Roxas City, receive comprehensive support during this difficult time,” he said.
Roxas City, which suffered the heaviest flooding, has been placed under a state of calamity to enable faster mobilization of resources and immediate coordination between local and national agencies.
According to data from DSWD Region 6, more than 163,000 individuals across Western Visayas have been affected by the typhoon — over 100,000 of them in Capiz alone.
Provincial data show that 27,626 families or 100,575 individuals were displaced by the flooding, with the municipalities of Sigma, Dao, Dumalag, Maayon, Panay, Pilar, and President Roxas among the hardest hit.
In response, the DSWD-6 has distributed over P16 million worth of assistance to affected families in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. The relief includes family food packs and ready-to-eat meals to address the immediate needs of evacuees.
As of this report, over 7,000 individuals remained in evacuation centers, while more than 3,000 others were temporarily staying with relatives or friends as they await the repair and rebuilding of their homes.
The DSWD continued to coordinate closely with local government units (LGUs) to monitor the situation, assess ongoing needs, and ensure the efficient delivery of aid and services.
Gatchalian called for continued cooperation and resilience among Capisnons, assuring that the government’s support will remain steadfast throughout the recovery and rehabilitation phases.
“The DSWD and the entire government stand with the people of Capiz,” he said. “We will continue to provide the assistance needed until the province fully recovers from the impacts of Typhoon Ramil.”/PN
