ILOILO City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has rolled out more than P3.2 million worth of humanitarian aid to thousands of families displaced by Tropical Storm “Ramil,” which battered the region over the weekend and forced residents into evacuation centers.
As of 4 a.m. Monday, DSWD Region 6 reported that the storm affected 42,963 families — or about 154,664 individuals — across 332 barangays in the region. Of these, 2,310 families (8,435 individuals) are currently staying in 142 evacuation centers, while 2,635 families (9,690 individuals) are temporarily sheltering with relatives and friends.
OIC-Regional Director Joselito Estember led a relief operation in Roxas City on Sunday in coordination with the local government, distributing family food packs and ready-to-eat food boxes to affected residents.
“These food packs are meant to provide immediate relief to families,” Estember said.
Each family food pack contains six kilograms of rice, assorted canned goods, a cereal drink, and coffee. The ready-to-eat food boxes, designed for ease of access, contain pre-packed meals that do not require cooking—ensuring displaced families get immediate nourishment.
According to DSWD-6, it still maintains P82.9 million in available resources — comprising P2.79 million in standby funds and P80.11 million worth of food and non-food items ready for distribution — to sustain ongoing relief and recovery operations.
The agency vowed continued coordination with local government units and other response agencies “to ensure that no family is left behind” during the recovery process.
Tropical Storm “Ramil” (international name: Fengshen), the Philippines’ 18th tropical cyclone of 2025, made landfall in Gubat, Sorsogon, on October 18 before moving across parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
It was forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by the morning of yesterday, October 20./PN
