BUTUAN CITY – The Caraga regional social welfare office recently released a total of 2,400 family packs to three towns amounting to P 358,176.00 to support relief operation in each area. The municipality Jabonga, Agusan del Norte received 1,000 packs; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, 600; and Mainit, Surigao del Norte, 800.

DSWD Caraga director Mercedita P. Jabagat emphasized that it is the LGU’s mandate to serve its constituents during disaster. The DSWD augments the LGUs when necessary.

The recent disaster left 2 children dead in Tagapua, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur; Lovely Lamire, 9 years old and Jalyn Encarnacion, 11; and 1 adult, Pedro Hilot, 34, of Sampaguita, Veruela, Agusan del Sur. George Olayvar, Sr., 50 years old and Jenny Dumngas, 45, of Placer, Surigao del Norte are still missing as of this report.

As of date, Jabonga in Agusan del Norte has 8 evacuation centers serving a total of 799 persons and Mainit in Surigao del Norte has 6 evacuation centers serving 975 persons. ### (Social Marketing Unit, January 26, 2009)