Tandag City- Aside from the family food packs distributed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga also provided non-food items to the evacuees in Surigao del Sur Sports Complex in the city.

The social welfare and development (SWAD) team leader and the field-based regional staff of DSWD distributed plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, toothbrushes, slippers, laundry and bath soaps and toothpaste on September 5, 2015.

Thesa Joy Musa, SWAD team leader, said that the non-food items provided to the evacuees are amounting to Php62,414.

“The DSWD workers in Tandag also join with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) in setting up the Welfare Desk Assistance to answer queries and concerns relative to the situation,” added Musa.

As of reporting time, a total 534 families or 2,416 persons coming from the municipalities of Lianga, San Agustin, Tago, San Miguel, and Marihatag are still housed at Surigao del Sur Sports Center.

The SWAD team leader and MAT are constantly coordinating with the offices of P/CSWD and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) for the updates on the status of the said Internally-Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Surigao del Sur. ###(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)