DSWD Releases Over P50 Million in Relief Aid to Earthquake-Hit Communities in Davao Region

DAVAO CITY (June 23) — The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-11) has distributed more than PHP50 million in humanitarian assistance to local government units affected by the recent destructive earthquake in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur, underscoring the scale of the government’s emergency response efforts.

According to the agency’s latest situation report, assistance released to affected communities includes:

• 50,580 Family Food Packs (FFPs) valued at PHP40.53 million
• 2,064 Non-Food Items (NFIs) worth PHP7.15 million
• 2,220 Ready-to-Eat Food (RTEF) packs amounting to PHP2.14 million
• PHP260,000 in cash assistance for affected beneficiaries

Hardest-Hit Municipalities Receive Largest Share

Among the earthquake-affected areas, Jose Abad Santos received the largest volume of assistance, with more than 33,000 family food packs and over 1,000 non-food items, reflecting the extent of damage and displacement in the municipality.

Other recipients included:

• Sarangani – more than 10,000 food packs, 2,000 ready-to-eat food allocations, and 981 non-food items;
• Malita – over 3,000 family food packs;
• Don Marcelino – food packs and ready-to-eat meals;
• Santa Maria – food packs and non-food relief items.

Cash assistance was also provided to selected beneficiaries in Digos, Jose Abad Santos, and Sarangani.

Beyond Relief Goods: Psychosocial and Child Protection Services

DSWD’s response has extended beyond food and material assistance to include psychosocial support and child protection interventions.

The agency deployed 76 personnel, including specialized emergency response teams, to support relief operations in affected communities.

Among the services provided were:

• Psychological First Aid sessions for 130 affected individuals;
• Establishment of child-friendly spaces serving nearly 200 children;
• Distribution of 300 family water kits in Jose Abad Santos;
• Augmentation of a water filtration system in neighboring Region 12;
• Operation of a mobile kitchen in Barangay Nuing that provided meals to 785 residents.

These interventions reflect a growing recognition that disaster response must address not only physical needs but also the emotional well-being and protection of children and families affected by emergencies.

Preparedness for Continuing Response

DSWD-11 reported that it maintains substantial standby resources for ongoing and future emergency operations, including:

• 184,179 Family Food Packs valued at PHP113.21 million;
• 20,638 Non-Food Items worth PHP54.86 million; and
• PHP1.94 million in standby funds.

In total, the agency has available relief resources and emergency funds exceeding PHP169 million.

Child Rights and Humanitarian Perspective

The response demonstrates the importance of integrating food security, water and sanitation, psychosocial support, and child protection services in disaster recovery efforts. For children affected by displacement, loss of homes, school disruption, and trauma, interventions such as child-friendly spaces and psychological first aid are critical to preventing long-term adverse impacts.

As communities in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur move from emergency relief toward recovery and rehabilitation, sustained support for housing, livelihoods, education, and mental health services will be essential to help affected families rebuild their lives after the earthquake.