BUTUAN CITY- In response to the request of the municipal local government unit (LGU) of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga provided on January 8, 2017 augmentation support to assist the 363 passengers, bound for Manila and Bohol, who were stranded due to the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Depression Auring.

The assistance that were provided are 2 boxes sardines, 2 boxes corned beef, 2 boxes 3-in-1 coffee, and 308 pieces bath soap. The monetary value of the assistance will total Php21,536.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of the said municipality spearheaded the distribution of goods to the passengers.

OIC Regional Director Mita Chuchi-Gupana Lim released an official statement assuring the public on the readiness of the DSWD-Caraga to provide augmentation support to the LGUs.

“We have strengthened our preparedness measures to provide quick and responsive support to the needs of the LGUs, communities, and families in the region who will be affected by calamities such as TD Auring,” Lim said.

“As we feel the discomfort experienced by the stranded passengers in Nasipit, the agency, in partnership with the MLGU and within our mandate and resources, would ensure that their basic needs are provided while they are waiting for their re-scheduled trips,” she added.

As of reporting time, the regional warehouse of the Field Office has a stockpile of 14,416 family food packs and re-packing activity is on-going for additional stockpile.

Also, the Quick Response Team (QRT) of DSWD-Caraga continues to monitor the situation in the region after TD Auring made landfall yesterday at Siargao island. ###(EUNICE G. MONTAOS/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)